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International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
Sport
Clark Garret Alvarez

Vini or Not Vini? Wild Conspiracy Theory Claims Real Madrid Star Was Replaced by a Lookalike

Vinícius Júnior Real Madrid Vinicius World Cup the 2026 World Cup
Vinícius Júnior 'replaced by a lookalike' theory spreads online despite no credible evidence (Credit: Bryan Berlin / WikiPortraits / CC BY-SA 4.0)

A bizarre conspiracy theory circulating on social media claims Vinícius Júnior is no longer the man playing for Real Madrid, with some users suggesting the footballer was replaced by a lookalike following the 2026 World Cup.

There is no credible evidence supporting the theory, and no official source has suggested that another person is playing in Vinícius' place.

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