Vinicius Jr Destroys Defender With Filthy Nutmeg on Injury Return, Video Goes Viral

• Vinicius Junior made a grand return from his two-month injury layoff
• The Brazilian missed a total of six games for Real Madrid in the process
• He left football fans in awe following a remarkable display vs Mallorca

Vinicius Junior made his presence felt in his first game since recovering from an injury setback as Real Madrid pipped Real Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday evening.

Having missed the tail-end of last year due to a torn thigh muscle, the Brazilian winger was up to his old tricks, wreaking havoc on defenders with his sublime skillset after he was restored back into the team by Carlo Ancelotti.

While defender Antonio Rudiger ended up as the unlikely goal-scorer and eventual match-winner, per the BBC, in Madrid's first game of the New Year, it was Vini's mesmerising skills that caught the attention of online users.

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In a video making the rounds on social media, sighted by Sports Brief, the 23-year-old nutmegged his closest marker before stinging the palms of the Mallorca goalkeeper.

Vini destroys defender with nutmeg

Having received a pass from Luka Modric, Vini took the ball in his stride with an assuring first touch before accelerating towards the goal as he made the turn.

Prior to making the turn, he majestically slipped the ball in between the onrushing defender before unleashing a piledriver, only for his effort to be thwarted by Predrag Rajković in goal for the visitors.

Here is the video:

How fans reacted to Vini's nutmeg

Despite the effort failing to land at the back of the net, it drew rave reviews from football fans online.

An excited fan, @dr_eeshan26, wrote:

"That nutmeg was filthy."

@skipperscrown, on the other hand, described Vinicius's attempt as:

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"This is insane !!"

@IamLarryfundz said the Brazilian could win the Ballon d'Or soon:

"Vini is such a great player. He might get to win the Ballon d’Or soon."

@mister_ade5 added:

"That’s career-ending dribble."

@SoccerPunchline described the action in two words:

"Absolutely mesmerizing."

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Rudiger scores as Real pip Mallorca

Sports Brief also reported that Antonio Rudiger snatched Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Real Mallorca to take them provisionally three points clear at the top of La Liga on Wednesday.

The defender headed home from a corner with 12 minutes remaining to settle a tight clash in which Mallorca twice hit the woodwork.