Vinicius and Real Madrid reject the conspiracy theory that the footballer was replaced by a clone

A conspiracy theory claiming that Vinicius Junior was killed and replaced by a lookalike has spread on social media in Brazil and been picked up by the Spanish sports press. The speculation has no confirmation, and people close to the footballer and Real Madrid representatives have categorically rejected it.

Supporters of the theory claim that the player currently playing for Real Madrid has different tattoos, facial features and ear shapes from the footballer called up to the Brazil national team. Comparisons between photographs are presented as “evidence,” although images can be affected by angle, lighting, editing or aesthetic changes.

Vinicius explained that he had undergone facial harmonization treatment, but this did not convince conspiracy theorists. The most extreme version claims that he was replaced so sponsors could honor their commercial contracts.

The story was also linked to predictions by Brazilian clairvoyant Vó Bahiana, who had announced during the World Cup that Vinicius and Neymar would be abducted by extraterrestrials. The prediction did not come true, but it returned to users’ attention after the new speculation emerged. In reality, Vinicius continues to play for Real Madrid, and the theory is considered fake news.