Vinícius, red card and a rumour about a double

“Was it the lookalike who was sent off, or the original?” The question captures the rumour surrounding Vinícius: the player’s red card is presented as an answer to the theory that he was replaced. Vinícius Júnior has become the latest character in this “madness”, while TikTok has become the setting for a joke that, the account says, millions now believe as a conspiracy theory.

The rumour, which surfaced in Brazil last September, claims that the Vinícius now playing for Real Madrid is not the one who featured at the World Cup with the Seleção. In its most far-fetched version, the original player supposedly disappeared in mysterious circumstances and a lookalike took his place to fulfil sponsorship and advertising commitments.

One detail is offered to challenge the story: after the match, Vinícius reportedly apologised to his teammates in the dressing room, saying, “I didn’t want to hurt anyone.” The suggestion that a replacement would have been more intelligent and disciplined is set against that reaction, described as revealing the player’s emotional nature.

The analysis argues that his temperament has not changed: it portrays him as an explosive talent, highly emotional and at times impulsive. It sees continuity in Vinícius’s behaviour, both before and after the World Cup. The question, it concludes, is therefore not whether he has become someone else.