May saw European football come to a close for the 2021/2022 season, and as several sides began to celebrate their successes or survivals, for others, it’s a time of reflection and opportunity to start fresh next campaign. In the former category, sits several contenders for the prestigious NextGoalWinner POTM award from across Europe.

This months’ award goes to one man who has added 2 pieces of silverware to growing trophy cabinet, and at only 21 years of age, there’s no signs of slowing as he played massive contributions to his sides’ success, and individually experienced his most prolific season to date, and that is Vinícius Júnior.

The Brazilian youngster not only started the month by celebrating his sides’ La Liga title victory, but also went on to make 5 goal contributions, including a terrific hattrick, and the most important goal of his sides’ season and his entire career, in the Champions League final. We have broken tradition for his months POTM award by factoring in the European competition contributions, and for good reason.

If you have anything to add to our NextGoalWinner POTM decision, or disagree with our pick, head over to Twitter (@NextGoalWinBlog) and let us know what you think.

*NextGoalWinner POTM awards will return in August when the new season commences.*

Match By Match

May 8th: Atletico Madrid 1-0 Real Madrid – With the league title wrapped up prior to the Madrid derby, and just 4 days after their Champions League heroics, Real Madrid could be excused for ‘easing up’ in their La Liga clash. With a much changed line-up from their previous game, it’s clear to see where their focus was as the month progressed, and this meant that Vinícius Júnior was left on the bench until the 61st minute when his side were already 1-0 down. He struggled to make much of an impact with only 29 minutes to play, but managed to get away 2 shots (1 on target), keep a 90% pass accuracy and created 2 chances (1 big chance). By no means a POTM winning performance, however the best was still to come.

May 12th: Real Madrid 6-0 Levante – And the best did arrive from Vinícius, as Real Madrid returned to a full-strength XI to take on Levante in their penultimate league game, and the Brazilian pulled off a truly remarkable performance, netting a hattrick and an assist in their drubbing of the relegated opposition. With a 9.8/10 rating from FotMob, he was as close to perfect as you could ask, with his 4 goal contributions, 100% shot accuracy, 82% pass accuracy and 100% tackle success. His top individual performance for the month which really did put him as a contender for the POTM title, and with his side already champions, they showed no mercy against a relegated side.

May 20th: Real Madrid 0-0 Real Betis – The final league game of the season was a practice run for Real Madrid ahead of the Champions League final, and also for most of the side their main task was to remain uninjured from this game, to remain in Ancelotti’s plans for the following week. With Madrid already title winners and looking ahead to the biggest game of the season, and Betis settled in the Europa League spots and cup winners, both sides played out the fairly uneventful 0-0 where both would arguably have preferred to not bother at all. Real did still attack in the game, and Vinícius Jr had a decent run out, completing the most dribbles (5), 90% pass accuracy and creating 1 big chance, however his 7.0/10 rating just about sums this game up. Although uneventful, this game sat as the filling between the two biggest and best Vinícius Júnior games of the season…

May 28th: Liverpool 0-1 Real Madrid – Although we don’t usually include the European competition in our match overviews, this time we have to make an exception. At just 21 years of age, Vinícius Júnior went to Paris and netted the winner to secure his very first Champions League title and Real Madrid’s 14th. Although it was a game marred by events off the pitch, and dominated on the field by Madrid’s goalkeeper heroics, we cannot understate how important this goal could be for the young Brazilian. His goal already puts his name into the history books, and with plenty of space and time to continue developing, expect him to keep making history throughout his career. Although this game wasn’t his finest overall performance, being dispossessed 4 times and losing 11 duels, he did have 100% shot accuracy with his goal and maintained 96% pass accuracy. Most crucially however, and the only thing Real Madrid supporters will care about from this match, is that Vinícius Júnior scored the winner, and added to his La Liga title from this year to wrap up his most successful campaign thus far. A great month and a fantastic season for the Brazilian, and a deserved winner of the award.