Vinicius Junior underwent surgery after the World Cup and made a slight change to his appearance to give his facial features greater definition. Since then, the forward has struggled to produce his best form for both Real Madrid and the Brazil national team.
The Touchline has highlighted conspiracy theories being widely discussed on social media and forums in Brazil. Some users claim that Vinicius was replaced by a lookalike after the World Cup.
Those promoting the theory point to perceived differences in his appearance, including features beyond his face. Images of the player’s legs have also been shared, with claims that his tattoos do not match those seen previously.
Other versions of the story are even more extreme. They suggest that American intelligence agencies may be involved, while one theory claims Vinicius was replaced by an alien.