Netflix documentary about Vinicius Jr receives lowest rating in HISTORY – is it really that bad?

On May 15, Netflix released a much-anticipated documentary about Real Madrid’s young winger, Vinicius Junior. The film, announced the previous year, promised to pull back the curtain on the life of one of football’s brightest stars, tracing his journey from the streets of Rio de Janeiro’s favelas to the dazzling lights of European football’s biggest stage. However, despite the initial hype, the documentary’s reception has been far from stellar.

Originally conceived as an intimate portrait to reveal Vinicius’ personality beyond the football pitch, the documentary aimed to capture his 2023/24 season — a period marked by high expectations, intense scrutiny, and personal growth. Netflix and Real Madrid collaborated closely, and La Liga was also involved, suggesting a high-profile and comprehensive production.

Vinicius himself spoke about the project with genuine emotion. “A documentary at 24 sounds strange, right? My career is far from over. But then I thought – I already have something to say, something to share. Let this inspire others,” he explained. The player also shared a heartfelt message about his struggles and triumphs: “My smile is my identity. Today I joke about the struggles of childhood. But it wasn’t easy. I cry just thinking about what my life might’ve been like without football. Thank you to everyone who helped me get through it.”

Despite these touching words and the promising premise, “Baila Vini” – as the documentary is titled – has been widely criticized for its lack of depth and freshness. Unlike other sports documentaries on Netflix that often unveil new, unseen details about their subjects, this film largely retreads well-worn ground. Fans are presented with the familiar narrative of Vinicius’ rise from Flamengo’s youth ranks to Real Madrid’s starting lineup, with little new insight.

The documentary touches on his playing style, his preparation routines, and his personal battles on and off the pitch. A significant focus is placed on the ongoing issue of racism in football — a topic close to Vinicius’ heart. The film features stark footage and interviews addressing the abuse the player frequently endures, highlighting the emotional and psychological toll of racial discrimination.

Several memorable quotes throughout the film underscore the difficulties Vinicius faces. One Real Madrid teammate comments on Vinicius’ fearless style: “On the pitch – it’s like a pickup game. Vinicius is afraid of nothing.” Another voice criticizes refereeing decisions that appear to protect opponents who foul Vinicius repeatedly. His mother offers a poignant glimpse into his vulnerability: “I couldn’t go and hug him. What now? I saw photos of him crying and looking up at the sky.”

Notable figures such as Neymar and Carlo Ancelotti provide heartfelt reflections, with Neymar stating, “What can I say in that moment? What can we do other than fight the way he’s fighting.” There is even a moment where Vinicius breaks down in tears during an interview, emphasizing the documentary’s attempt to portray the raw emotional struggles behind his public persona.

The film also sheds light on some previously untold stories. One striking anecdote comes from a close friend of Vinicius, describing a humiliating encounter with law enforcement where their expensive car prompted unwarranted suspicion simply because they were young Black men. This segment resonates as a powerful commentary on racial profiling beyond football.

A controversial incident from a match half-time is also recounted, where Karim Benzema reportedly told Ferland Mendy not to pass to Vinicius. Though Benzema later dismissed it as a normal in-game moment and Vinicius forgave him, this episode adds complexity to the story of Vinicius’ integration within the team.

To the documentary’s credit, it does not shy away from Vinicius’ occasional lapses in discipline on the pitch. Coaches Ancelotti and Kroos discuss efforts to guide him away from confrontations, but Vinicius himself adopts a more pragmatic stance: “They don’t pay me to be nice. They pay me to come out and score goals.”

In the latter part of the film, the tone shifts to Vinicius’ personal lifestyle — his luxury wardrobe, fitness regimen, nutrition, and social life. This glimpse into the off-pitch world contrasts with earlier scenes of hardship and discrimination, but some critics found this segment somewhat superficial and lacking in nuance.

One of the most glaring disappointments is the treatment of Vinicius’ near miss at the Ballon d’Or. The documentary barely addresses his controversial boycott of the ceremony or the fallout from losing to Rodri. Aside from a brief mention of his defiant social media post, this key storyline is strangely muted.

However, the film’s most powerful and contentious sequence centers on the racist abuse Vinicius suffered during matches against Valencia. These incidents sparked widespread outrage and protests, captured with unflinching honesty on screen. Vinicius’ emotional reaction during a post-match press conference is one of the film’s most affecting moments.

Even La Liga president Javier Tebas makes a rare appearance, issuing a self-critical statement regarding a tweet that was perceived as offensive toward Vinicius. “I didn’t mean to offend him… but clearly, I was mistaken,” he admits, acknowledging the damage caused.

Yet, the filmmakers appear to have miscalculated in their handling of Valencia’s fan chants. One key scene subtitles the word “tonto” (meaning “idiot”) incorrectly as “mono” (“monkey”), a mistranslation that has provoked anger and a potential legal response from Valencia CF. The club’s head coach Carlos Corberan publicly distanced himself from the documentary, praising Valencia’s fanbase while confirming the club is considering possible actions against Netflix.

In a symbolic act of protest, Valencia banned Netflix cameras from filming in their stadium stands during a 2023/24 season match, prompting fans to chant, “Where are you, Netflix?” This illustrates the deep tensions surrounding the documentary’s reception.

The backlash was reflected in the documentary’s ratings. On IMDb, the film earned shockingly low scores, averaging between 2.0 and 3.0 out of 10, placing it among the platform’s worst-rated titles. The voting was polarized — most users rated it either a 1 or a perfect 10, demonstrating a divided audience.

Regionally, the disparity is even more pronounced. In Spain, over 92% of viewers gave it the lowest possible score, whereas in Brazil, nearly 90% awarded it a perfect rating. This stark contrast likely prevented the documentary from setting an all-time low on IMDb.

For context, Netflix’s documentary on David Beckham maintains a strong 8.1 rating, highlighting the disappointment many felt toward “Baila Vini.” While the film attempts to tell an important story of struggle and perseverance, many viewers felt it lacked the emotional depth, insight, and storytelling quality necessary to truly resonate.

Ultimately, the Netflix documentary about Vinicius Jr has become a cautionary tale about the challenges of sports storytelling. Even with a compelling subject and important social themes, the execution must engage, enlighten, and evoke emotion. Sadly, “Baila Vini” missed the mark for much of its audience — but its conversation around racism in football remains undeniably crucial.