Vinicius under pressure as Diomande and Espí push for Real Madrid starting spot

Vinicius Junior faces increasing competition for his place in the Real Madrid attack, as his form has dipped recently, with the duo Yan Diomande and Carlos Espí impressing for their national teams.

According to "Mundo Deportivo", Vinicius Junior was unable to regain his best form during Brazil's matches in Australia, despite admitting after the second match that he is still far from his peak and needs to regain his confidence.

Brazilian winger Yan Diomande's decline may give manager José Mourinho the chance to make changes in the attacking line, especially as Diomande continues to present himself as a key option. The Ivorian winger joined Real Madrid this summer for €105 million, plus €25 million in variables, and has started in only two of seven league matches.

Yan Diomande returned to the left wing position with the Ivory Coast national team during the break, delivering a strong performance against Somalia, where he excelled in most of the duels he faced.

Carlos Espí emerges as another option for Mourinho after scoring five goals in Spain U21's 13-0 victory over San Marino, despite having played only 26 minutes for Real Madrid across all competitions this season.

Carlos Espí differs from Mbappé in playing style, relying on movement near the penalty area and playing with his back to goal to hold off defenders. Meanwhile, the French forward has suffered an injury while with his national team, with estimates suggesting he will be sidelined for between one and two weeks.

With the return of club competitions, Mourinho faces a decision regarding whether to continue relying on Vinicius Junior or give opportunities to Yan Diomande and Carlos Espí, given what the duo showcased during the international break.