Real Madrid debutant targeted online and forced to take action after debut | OneFootball

These are challenging times for footballers, especially the younger generation, who are not only expected to perform at the highest level but are also exposed to the unforgiving world of social media.

The latest to suffer from its dark side is Victor Munoz, a Real Madrid youth player who made his senior debut in the recent El Clasico against Barcelona. Unfortunately, what should have been the proudest moment of his career quickly turned sour.

Munoz was brought on by Carlo Ancelotti in the 88th minute after Vinicius Jr. was forced off due to physical discomfort. Just minutes later, the 21-year-old found himself with a golden opportunity to become the hero.

Kylian Mbappe threaded a perfect through ball that left the young striker one-on-one with Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. But with the pressure of the moment bearing down, Munoz blazed the shot over the bar.

Treatment body deserves

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The miss, while painful, is a moment that many strikers have experienced at some point in their careers, especially when making their debut under immense pressure. However, the aftermath was far more brutal.

The youngster was met with a torrent of abuse on social media, to the point that he was forced to deactivate comments on his Instagram account due to the volume and severity of the insults.

It is a sobering reminder of the toxic environment that can develop online. Instead of words of encouragement, a young footballer barely out of his teens was bombarded with vitriol by faceless users hiding behind anonymous profiles.

Victor Munoz, who began his youth career at FC Barcelona in 2017, later played for CF Damm before joining Real Madrid’s academy in the 2021–22 season. He has worked hard to climb the ranks and earn his first-team opportunity, something few achieve.

His debut should have been a cause for celebration, not condemnation.