Just two years ago, Kylian Mbappe was still playing for Paris Saint-Germain and Vinicius Junior was the sun shining over the Santiago Bernabeu.Florentino Perez was ready to take on the world when Vini missed out on the Ballon d'Or, with Rodri taking the award instead. Real Madrid boycotted the ceremony altogether, and Carlo Ancelotti went out of his way to make sure the club's Brazilian star felt supported and valued.Today? The Bernabeu has turned its back on him.##LINKED_NEWS_69069##It is a brutal reminder of what life at Real Madrid is like. There are no old merits. No sentiment. Madrid demands spectacle – and Vinicius has not been delivering it.One goal. Three assists. Four consecutive matches substituted.Against Atletico Madrid, he was taken off as early as the 54th minute, and the man who replaced him was Yan Diomande.##LINKED_NEWS_68282##Despite Los Blancos eventually losing the derby, the 125-million-euro winger brought something different to the game. Earlier, against Elche, he had already offered a glimpse of what Madrid could have in the future. Against Atleti, he was thrown into the game with Real already down to 10 men, and yet Madrid immediately looked better with him on the pitch.According to a major poll on Marca's website, 93 per cent of respondents want Diomande promoted to the starting XI. Seven per cent simply want him to play, regardless of who makes way – Mbappe, Jude Bellingham or Arda Guler.21.45: (2.40) Netherlands (3.60) Germany (2.80)But the other 86 per cent are absolutely clear: Diomande should start on the left wing, with Vinicius on the bench. This was hardly a tiny sample. More than 50,000 people voted, with just seven per cent opposing Diomande's inclusion in the starting XI.Despite playing fewer minutes – and entering the game when Real were already down to 10 men – Diomande produced a more active performance than Vini.He had 31 touches of the ball. Vinicius Jr had just 22. Diomande completed six dribbles to Vinicius' one. He won nine of his 12 ground duels. Vini won three of six.##LINKED_NEWS_68813##Diomande was not beaten by an opponent once. Vinicius was beaten twice. Those differences were visible from the stands and the Madrid fans saw it perfectly.
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