REUTERS/Juan Barbosa
There has been a surprising drop in form from Vinicius Junior this season and some fans are convinced this is because he's been replaced.
Vinicius headed into a new season at Real Madrid after committing his future to the club and snubbing a move to Arsenal in the process. The Brazilian winger failed to impress during the World Cup, unable to rival the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.
Disappointing displays at the start of his club campaign haven't gone unnoticed and new manager Jose Mourinho has even acknowledged the 26-year-old's struggles. With just one goal and three assists in eight games, conspiracy theories have emerged over the possibility that this isn't the real Vinicius but rather a clone of sorts.
Why Fans Are Speculating Over a Vinicius Junior Body-Double
Reuters
Vinicius underwent a physical transformation following the World Cup, turning to facial harmonisation to change his appearance. The result surprised fans as the Brazilian's face looked noticeably different with his lower jaw reshaped.
As soon as the new-look Vinicius made his first appearance, fans were speculating on Brazilian forums and TikTok accounts over the legitimacy of the procedure and whether he'd instead been replaced with a body-double. His performances so far this season haven't helped quiet conspiracy theorists from their verdicts.
Vinicius' stuttering start to the campaign has led to moans and groans from fans at the Estadio Bernabeu. He hasn't fared much better during the ongoing international break and a poor performance in Brazil's 4-0 win over India resulted in fail compilations alongside pictures showing a difference in his body and tattoos before and after the World Cup.
For any fan concerned that a real-life episode of Black Mirror may be unfolding before their very eyes, those theories have been debunked. Inevitiably, his face looks different because of the surgery on his chin but also pictures showing different tattoos are thought to be the result of different lighting, low-resolution images and photo editing.
According to Spanish outlet Marca, Madrid and the player aren't commenting on the theories because they don't believe the claims like this have any substance. It would be unbelievably strange for the Brazilian to release a statement confirming his identity, but perhaps he's waiting to recapture form to show that he is very much 'the real Vinicius Junior'.
Vinicius Theory is No Ali Dia Imposter Case
Southampton's Ali Dia.
There has never been a case of a professional footballer using a body-double to play for them and it's a scenario that seems simply implausible. But the Vinicius theory does hold comparisons with fake impostor cases in which frauds have pulled off a disguise to get onto a football pitch.
The best example is one of the worst players in Premier League history, Ali Dia, who signed for Southampton on a short-term contract back in 1996 without the club scouting him. Then-Saints manager Graeme Souness took a call from someone who claimed to be George Weah and that individual recommended his 'cousin'.
Dia came on as a substitute against Leeds United and looked out of his depth before being substituted. He was released days later before the facts over his fake identity surfaced.
Brazilian national team
Brazilian national team
Vinicius might not be playing to his usual standards this season, but it's clear to see that he is the same tricky Brazilian winger. He'll be hoping to quash speculation when he's back in action for Madrid especially with the first El Clasico of the season on October 25th.