Less than two weeks after Vinícius Júnior lost the 2024 Ballon d’Or to Rodri, the winger scored a hat-trick against Osasuna.

Vinícius Júnior sent the Santiago Bernabéu to its feet in the 34th minute as he opened the scoring for Real Madrid. The Brazilian received the ball from Jude Bellingham on the left flank and then took it into the penalty area himself, dancing between three defenders before burying a right-handed football into the back of the net.

The goal was Real Madrid’s first from open play in three games and Vinícius Júnior’s first in La Liga since missing out on the Ballon d’Or. The 24-year-old briefly celebrated the goal with his teammates before running to hug Carlo Ancelotti.

Jude Bellingham’s first goal of the season doubled Real Madrid’s lead at half-time, but it was Vinícius Júnior who continued the scoring in the second half. The Brazilian found the back of the net again in the 61st minute after a beautiful ball from Andriy Lunin played him through on goal. Vinícius Júnior dribbled past Sergio Herrera and poked a no-look finish into the empty net.

A hat-trick felt inevitable and Vinícius Júnior made no mistakes when the time came to find his third goal of the evening. Brahim Díaz picked Enzo Boyomo’s pocket on the edge of the penalty area and threw the ball to Vinícius Júnior, who gave Real Madrid a 4-0 lead.

The hat trick gives Vinícius Júnior twelve goals and five assists in seventeen appearances this season. Although the goals do not make up for the loss of the Ballon d’Or, they do mark the first step in Vinícius Júnior’s revenge tour.

Assuming Barcelona secure three points against Real Sociedad, Real Madrid will go into the November international break nine points behind Hansi Flick’s side with a game in hand. Los Blancos will need more brilliance from Vinícius Júnior if they are to mount a successful La Liga title defence.

Vinícius Júnior, meanwhile, must continue to improve his game if he is to have a shot at the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

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