Welcome to the sixth part of our viral football meme series, where we dive deep into the stories behind football’s most unforgettable moments that have become internet gold.
Today’s entry focuses on a phrase that took football banter to a whole new level. We’re talking about Karim Benzema’s infamous remark during a Champions League match in 2020: “Don’t pass him the ball, bro. I swear on my mother’s life he is playing against us.”
This moment, where Benzema seemingly turned against his own teammate, Vinícius Júnior, sparked countless memes and reactions across social media.
But as we’ll discover, this moment ended up being a pivotal point in the relationship between the two players—and a turning point in Vinícius’s career.
Let’s dive into the full story behind this viral meme and how things have changed since.
The Setup: Real Madrid’s 2020 Champions League Group Stage
It’s October 2020, and Real Madrid are in the thick of the Champions League group stages. As one of the most successful teams in football history, expectations are always sky-high at Madrid.
But in this particular campaign, things weren’t clicking smoothly for Los Blancos, especially for their young star Vinícius Júnior.
Vinícius, a Brazilian winger brimming with potential, was still trying to establish himself as a regular starter for Madrid. Although he had shown flashes of brilliance, his decision-making in the final third left much to be desired.
He was fast, skillful, and exciting to watch, but his poor finishing and erratic passing were becoming a source of frustration—especially for his teammates.
And no one was more frustrated than Karim Benzema, the leader of Madrid’s attack.
The Moment: Benzema’s Halftime Rant
The scene unfolded during the halftime break of a Champions League group-stage match between Real Madrid and Borussia Mönchengladbach.
The game was not going well for Madrid, who were struggling to find their rhythm, trailing 1-0 at the break.
As the team headed into the tunnel, cameras picked up a conversation between Benzema and his fellow French teammate, Ferland Mendy.
Benzema, clearly frustrated with Vinícius’s performance in the first half, leaned in close to Mendy and, in French, dropped the now-iconic line: “Don’t pass him the ball, bro. I swear on my mother’s life, he is playing against us.”
Benzema was essentially accusing Vinícius of being so poor that he might as well have been playing for the opposition!
The fact that this was said during a Champions League game, and was caught on camera, made it all the more dramatic.
The clip quickly went viral, with fans and pundits shocked by Benzema’s harsh criticism of his young teammate.
It wasn’t every day that you saw one star player essentially tell his teammates to freeze another player out of the game.
The Fallout: Social Media Explodes
As expected, once the footage was leaked, social media lit up. Fans from all over the world were quick to turn the phrase into a meme, using it to poke fun at poor performances from players in all kinds of matches.
Whether it was an underperforming star or a player having an off day, “Don’t pass him the ball” became the go-to banter whenever someone looked out of their depth on the field.
For Vinícius, this moment couldn’t have come at a worse time. Already struggling with confidence, the idea that his veteran teammate was publicly criticizing him must have been tough to swallow.
But to his credit, Vinícius didn’t let it drag him down for long. Instead, it became a catalyst for him to improve.
How Vinícius Bounced Back
While this incident could have easily damaged the relationship between Benzema and Vinícius, it ended up having the opposite effect. Vinícius took the criticism to heart and worked tirelessly to improve his game.
Over the next few seasons, his decision-making, composure in front of goal, and overall contribution to the team saw massive improvements.
By the time the 2021-2022 season rolled around, Vinícius had not only cemented his place in the starting lineup but had also formed a lethal attacking partnership with Benzema.
The two developed a strong understanding on the pitch, with Vinícius providing pace and flair on the wings while Benzema operated as the focal point of the attack.
Together, they helped Real Madrid win the La Liga title and, more importantly, the 2022 UEFA Champions League.
Vinícius even scored the winning goal in the final against Liverpool, a moment that proved just how far he had come since the days when his own teammates doubted him.
Benzema, now the veteran leader of Madrid’s attack, was quick to praise Vinícius for his development. The pair had gone from an awkward misunderstanding to one of the most dynamic duos in world football.
And when Benzema won the Ballon d’Or in 2022, there was no question that Vinícius had played a huge part in his success.
The Legacy of the Meme
As for the meme itself, “Don’t pass him the ball” continues to live on in football culture. Anytime a player is having a rough game, fans are quick to dig up Benzema’s famous line and apply it to the situation.
It’s become one of those timeless pieces of football banter that will likely be referenced for years to come.
But what makes this meme so special is the story behind it. It’s not just a funny moment; it’s a snapshot of a relationship between two players at a critical moment in their careers. Benzema’s frustration, while harsh, ultimately pushed Vinícius to become a better player.
And in the end, that’s what makes this meme unique—it represents growth, resilience, and the power of constructive criticism, even when it doesn’t seem constructive at first.
From Meme to Ballon d’Or Contender
Fast forward to 2024, and Vinícius Júnior is now a global superstar, regarded as one of the best players in the world.
After Benzema’s departure from Madrid, Vinícius has become the main man at the club, leading the attack and even being tipped as a future Ballon d’Or winner.
What started as a viral meme has now become a chapter in Vinícius’s journey from a young, inexperienced winger to one of the game’s elite players. And while fans still laugh at Benzema’s remark, it’s hard not to admire how Vinícius took that criticism and turned it into motivation.
Conclusion
Karim Benzema’s “Don’t pass him the ball” rant is more than just a funny meme. It’s a reminder of how quickly things can change in football and how even the harshest moments can lead to growth and success.
Vinícius Júnior’s rise after that incident is proof that criticism, when taken the right way, can fuel greatness.
And as for the meme itself, it will always have a place in football banter.
Anytime a player is struggling or making poor decisions on the pitch, you can bet that someone, somewhere, will dig up that iconic line and bring it back to life.
Stay tuned for the next article in this series as we continue to explore the viral moments that have shaped football’s internet culture!
