Real Madrid icon Luis Figo talks Alonso, Vinicius, Huijsen, Mbappe – ‘He’s a little more like Ronaldo’ | OneFootball

In a recent interview (h/t AS), Real Madrid legend Luis Figo sat down to talk about some of the hottest issues at the club right now, including Vinicius Jr.

The Brazilian international has once again become the talking point at Real Madrid, especially after Xabi Alonso’s decision to bench him in the last game against Real Oviedo.

Luis Figo on Alonso and Vinicius

Figo, though, backed Alonso’s surprising decision to leave Vinicius on the bench against Real Oviedo, stressing that it was more tactical than disciplinary.

“I don’t know if this was a warning, but I think that, above all, it was more a decision based on the opposing team than a punishment for the player.

“I think the coach always makes decisions based on his tactical plan and the idea he has for the match against another team. In this case, Vinícius started on the bench,” Figo said.

The former Portuguese international added that games like that will come throughout the course of the season and is par for the course.

“There are a lot of matches throughout the year, so I don’t know if it was a warning or a more tactical issue, but I think the player always wants to play, always wants to start from the beginning,” he added.

While Vinicius often in the spotlight for his on-pitch gestures and fights with opposition players, Figo downplayed their significance.

Vinicius was dropped against Real Oviedo (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

He also doesn’t believe that Vinicius’ attitude or the way he is perceived played any role in him not getting the Ballon d’Or last year.

“Obviously, one always wants to present a good image and be an example for all the spectators and for all the people who follow the world of football. I don’t think gestures interfered or influenced the awarding of the prize.

“I think, in this case, the people voting have several factors to consider. The main one, I believe, is the individual performance the player had throughout the year, and I don’t think it has anything to do with it,” he said.

Luis Figo on Mbappe and Dean Huijsen

Vinicius Junior has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or once again this year. But he is far from a favourite candidate, having been outplayed by newcomer Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid last season.

Speaking of Mbappe, Figo acknowledged the comparisons between the Frenchman and Ronaldo Nazario.

“Perhaps he’s a little more like Ronaldo Nazario. I think comparisons are never good. I think Mbappe has his own characteristics. He’s an incredibly talented player, fast, a goalscorer.

“Maybe he’s a bit more similar to Ronaldo Nazario in that sense, because of his speed and explosiveness, but I don’t think he should be compared,” he said.

Finally, Figo also talked about Real Madrid new signing Dean Huijsen. The Portuguese legend acknowledged that the Spaniard has done a great job but brushed off comparisons to Fernando Hierro.

“Huijsen undoubtedly had to prove that his signing was a success. But I don’t think he’s anything like Hierro. Except for the position, although Fernando played on the right and Huijsen plays on the left, but in the central midfield, as a centre-back.

“I don’t think they’re players with similar characteristics, although their playmaking is good or excellent,” he concluded.