Vinicius Junior's 'pre-game ritual' for Real Madrid is an iconic throwback, why he does it explained

Vinicius Junior's 'pre-match ritual' for Real Madrid is an iconic throwback, with fans singling out a Premier League legend.

Vinicius Jr has starred this term following an ultra-prolific campaign last season, where he scored 22 goals in all competitions.

This season, he's surpassed his goal tally from the 2021/22 campaign, having scored an impressive 23 goals in all competitions with a handful of games left.

And it appears he can put his sensational form down to the use of VapoRub, which he rubs onto his chest before kick-off.

Now, it's not the first time a player has slabbed a dollop of VapoRub onto his chest, with Patrick Vieira known for doing the same during his legendary Arsenal career.

According to Spanish outlet Marca, a host of other Real players use it before matches to help open the nasal passages and decongest the nose.

Fans online compared the Brazilian's 'pre-match ritual' to Arsenal legend Vieira.

One Twitter user wrote: "VapoRub. Been done for a long time to help with breathing. Vieira and Yaya Toure used to be covered in it."

A second tweeted: "@vinijr following @OfficialVieira footsteps."

A third added: "One word PATRICK VEIRA."

The 22-year-old has been with Los Blancos since 2018 and could spend his entire career at the Bernabeu.

That's according to his agent Federico Pena who claimed: "Vini is very close with Real Madrid and he’s so happy there. He’s very at ease, he loves the club. He’s been there so long, he’s kind of turned into a man there.

"But will he one day leave Real Madrid or will he be a one-club kind of player? I would tell you right now there’s a big chance that he’s the kind of player who stays in one club and makes history there and stays there for 15-plus years.

"I can’t really see that happening right now, but who knows, these things change in football and there’s things you would never imagine seeing that happen.

"I would just say if he were to leave Real Madrid someday, it would make no sense for it to be somewhere other than the Premier League."