Ho Ho Ho! The last matchday of the year was a blast! Not an unforgettable team performance actually, but Real Madrid defeated Sevilla 2-0 and the second goal represented an unbelievable milestone: it was Kylian Mbappé's 59th goal with the camiseta blanca in 2025. Yes, you read it correctly. 59 goals. And yes, like Cristiano Ronaldo's in 2013. Absolutely crazy!

Matchday 18: Focus on Vinícius Júnior

Due to the last minute absence of Valverde, Vinícius was the Captain on Saturday. So during the match he could openly talk and protest with the referee without big risk of a yellow card. Jokes aside, apart from the common little "fights" with the defenders in the box, he was quite chill during the match. When he was subbed off at minute 83 you could clearly hear the fans booing. Were they booing him or Xabi Alonso? I guess the latter, since Vinícius played a good match.

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He moved a lot in the first half, even if sometimes he looked too isolated on the left wing. He tried the trivela a couple of times (guess who he learnt from...) and his connection with Fran García, Mbappé and Rodrygo was very good. José Carmona was the one who pinned him every single time and in the end he got booked. When Vinícius had the ball he was almost unstoppable, attacked space, crossed, passed to teammates and moved, and passed and followed.

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In the second part of the second half the pace of the match was dramatically lower, even if Real still had only a one-goal lead. Vinícius was subbed of at minute 83 and Xabi Alonso brought in Gonzalo García. A couple of minutes later, a penalty was conceded to Real Madrid. The rest is history.

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Did you watch the match? Which player impressed you the most? Hit reply and let me know!

No matchday next week, but I'm preparing a special issue. See you next Tuesday!

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I wish you a very Merry Christmas!

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Marta