Real Madrid have always been a club synonymous with superstar footballers who were some of the best in business. Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Luis Figo, Ronaldo, and Ruud Van Nistelrooy are examples of the Galacticos signing. However, Los Blancos have altered their approach in the last few years. The club has now started looking toward the youth, signing players with high potential and turning them into world-class footballers. And the Madrid club have just continued their approach with the loan signing of the 18-year-old right-back Vinbicius Tobias.
Also read: Who Is Kobbie Mainoo: “New Pogba” Dominating In Man Utd Youth Teams
The Brazilian who joins from the Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk on loan will play for Real Madrid B till the end of the 2022-21 season. The club can also make the transfer permanent for € 18 million.
⚒ Vinicius Tobias went on loan to Real Madrid.
He will play on loan for the Madrid club until the end of the 2022/23 season. Under the agreement terms, Real Madrid also has the option to buy the player.#Shakhtar https://t.co/7Vz3kur2ZR pic.twitter.com/L0tjSuNIS5
— FC SHAKHTAR ENGLISH (@FCShakhtar_eng) April 1, 2022
Who is Vinicius Tobias?
Born in Jardim Matarazzo, Sao Paulo, Vinicius Tobias began his career with Internacional in his native country. He progressed through the youth teams and was also part of the Brazil squad, which won the 2019 South American under-15 Football Championship.
His rise was noticed by everyone as Internacional’s youth system in the past has produced players such as Alisson Becker, Luiz Adriano, Fred, and Alexander Pato, to name a few.
Vinicius Tobias Potential
An attacking Brazilian fullback. Where have we heard that before? Yes, Vinicius Tobias has based his game on his idol Dani Alves. Tobias went under the radar for a few years but clearly had the talent. This was why Shakhtar, who have a successful history of signing Brazilian players, snapped him up.
There is definite potential in him, and under an environment that has nurtured players like Martin Odegaard, he is likely to hone his skills further.
Another fantastic Brazilian right-back and another superb product of @SCInternacional youth academy already on the radar of many top European clubs – Vinícius Tobías! #talent #scouting 🇧🇷
⬇️⬇️⬇️https://t.co/uhrGbdXQdS pic.twitter.com/27VtBPJzHx
— Football Talent Scout – Jacek Kulig (@FTalentScout) June 3, 2020
Vinicius Tobias stats
At the under-15 championship, he was the best fullback, and the stats prove it. According to stats from data analytics site DriblamES, Vinicius Tobias made 3.82 recoveries, created 1.41 chances, progressed the balls 12.7 times and had a participation xG of 0. 49 per 90 minutes.
These stats were head and shoulders above anyone in the tournament. Last year, he averaged 3.5 dribbles per 90 minutes while playing for the Internacional’s under-20 side. This put him among the top ten per cent fullbacks in the competition. He also did 2.39 dribbles per 90 minutes, the best in the under-20 league.
¿Podemos ir más atrás? Con la cobertura de @driblab, sí.
Las competiciones juveniles y cadetes son una buena forma de detectar dónde y cómo comenzó a destacar un talento. Y Tobias fue muy superior en el Sudamericano Sub-15 de 2019, donde fue el mejor lateral del torneo. pic.twitter.com/qo4Dmf3xgZ
— DriblabES (@DriblabES) April 1, 2022
Vinicius Tobias Skills and Style of Play
The 18-year-old’s stats clearly show that he is a player whose play is heavily based on Dani Alves. However, he has all the attributes to be a flying fullback. He is pacey and is a good dribbler with excellent ball control. It means that he is comfortable with the ball at his feet.
Under the right coaching, he could become an assist machine, like Trent Alexander Arnold, who has topped the xOVA charts this season.
He is also adept at crossing the ball into the box with both feet. He has to work on his defensive skills, especially knowing when to go forward and stay back. However, he is only 18 and has plenty of time to sort that part of his game.
Future at Real Madrid
For now, Vinicius Tobias is a work in progress. He would first be expected to solidify his position on the B team, which would give him valuable experience if the time comes to step up to the first team. We must also not forget that he was not initially on the priority list for Real Madrid. However, after Russia invaded Ukraine, UEFA tweaked its transfer rules to allow teams to register two more players on their side from Russian and Ukrainian clubs.
This prompted Real Madrid to get him on loan. However, his meteoric rise has suggested that even a starring role in the B side will not fulfil his ambition, and he would want to become Dani Carvajal’s successor at Real Madrid.