Two soccer players wearing jerseys from different teams, one with a serious expression and the other smiling, with a blurred stadium in the background.

Seeing is believing: José María Giménez's data challenges Vinícius Júnior's perfomance

The Atlético defender far surpasses the Real Madrid star in this statistic with the Uruguay National Team.

In today's football scene, everything is governed by figures and data that reflect the performance of teams and players throughout the year. Those involved in the game are usually aware of how they have fared in matches in order to try to improve and give a better version in the next match they play. Aided by technology and social media, expert analysts in the field delve deeply into the careers of footballers, clubs and coaches to inform their audience.

Giménez and his great statistics with Uruguay

One of the most striking statistics recently revealed about international football has as its protagonist the Atlético de Madrid defender, José María Giménez , and the Real Madrid star, Vinícius Júnior . The Uruguayan has scored an opponent's goal wearing 'La Celeste' on up to 8 occasions compared to the 5 of the Real Madrid forward, presumed winner of the Ballon d'Or this season. The curious thing about the data is that, although Giménez has been an international for more years, the centre-back has scored more goals than the forward and has been more important in the offensive game.

Man in yellow and blue t-shirt with the word
Giménez has scored more goals for his country than the Real Madrid player | Europa Press

Vinícius ' level with 'La Canarinha' leaves a lot to be desired, being uncomfortable despite playing in the same position as in Madrid and going unnoticed in important tournaments. In an era in which Brazil lacks a leader who commands the offensive game with his football, given Neymar 's injury, Vinícius is far from picking up that baton. Highlighting the lack of forcefulness of the Brazilian with his national team, and making a more balanced comparison in terms of games played, another Atlético player pulverizes the Madrid '7' .

Julian Alvarez also averages better numbers than Vinícius

'The Spider' has played a total of 38 games for the Argentina national team , where he has scored a total of 10 goals , the last one being last week to reach the hundred mark . The Atlético forward is much more important for his country than Vinícius has ever been , something remarkable considering that the Brazilian debuted two years earlier. The Real Madrid '7' has played a total of 35 games with 'La Verde e Amarela' and has found the back of the net two times less than the brand new signing from Atlético de Madrid .

A soccer player wearing the Argentine national team jersey celebrating a goal.
Julian reached 100 goals as a professional against Chile | Julián Alvarez

In addition to the goals averaged by each player, Julián 's list of achievements with 'La Albiceleste' includes two Copa América and a World Cup, to match Vinícius ' non-existent titles. Alvarez was crucial to the achievement of these feats, as well as the Finalissima against Italy , while Vinícius was unable to even reach the semi-finals with Brazil this summer. With the Ballon d'Or gala just around the corner, data like this could show that, perhaps, Vinícius Júnior is not the just winner of such an important award.