Real Madrid have already lost two of their opening seven La Liga matches, against Real Betis and Atletico Madrid, leaving Jose Mourinho’s side under significant pressure in the early stages of the campaign.

After all, Barcelona have won all of their matches and have taken a six-point lead at the top of the table, whereas Los Blancos currently sit fourth in the standings.

The defeat to Atletico Madrid this past weekend, in particular, has drawn a lot of criticism towards the team, although Mourinho did not accept responsibility for the defeats in his post-match press conference, instead pointing to the referees.

Nevertheless, the team’s performances have consequently come under scrutiny, with former Real Madrid star and La Liga icon Santiago Canizares offering his assessment on COPE (via SPORT ).

The former Real Madrid goalkeeper was also highly critical of Vinicius Jr.’s current performances.

The Brazilian is now one of the club captains, but Canizares believes his contribution has been insufficient .

Vinicius has been poor this season. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

“He’s a player who, at the moment, and especially with the captain’s armband, I think takes much more away than he gives,” he said.