What started as a spark has become a full-blown crisis. The relationship between Xabi Alonso and Vinícius Jr. has reached a boiling point. A day after El Clásico, the atmosphere inside Real Madrid remains tense and combustible.
The club is standing firmly behind Alonso following Vinícius’ angry reaction to being substituted with about 20 minutes left in the match. The coach was not impressed by the Brazilian’s attitude in a game of such global importance, and made that clear to the locker room.
Vinícius, for his part, believes he has fulfilled every demand placed on him, yet his standing within the team is no longer being respected. While the initial anger has cooled slightly, he is seriously weighing his future. The winger feels Alonso doesn’t truly value him, and that the situation can’t continue. What once looked like a minor disagreement has turned into a widening rift.
Vinícius-Alonso flashpoint in El Clásico
The breaking point came in the 72nd minute, with Madrid leading 2–1 and Vinícius playing one of his best games of the season. Then the substitution board went up: number 7.
“Me? Me? Mister, me?” he shouted toward the sideline in disbelief. Moments later he muttered angrily in Portuguese and stomped off the field.
The real eruption came seconds later, as he reached the bench. “It’s always me! I’m done with this team! I’m leaving!” he yelled before disappearing down the tunnel.
Real Madrid sides firmly with Xabi Alonso
The outburst set off alarm bells inside the club. From the front office down, Madrid has made its position clear: complete trust in Alonso and full backing for whatever decisions he makes, including this substitution.
At the same time, there is significant disappointment over the player’s behavior and the image it projected. Internally, it’s considered a serious breach of discipline. In similar past cases, players have even been fined.
Vinícius feels singled out
From Vinícius’ perspective, the issue runs deeper. He’s convinced Alonso doesn’t appreciate his style of play. The forward insists he’s met every request - tracking back more defensively, sacrificing attacking influence as the coach asked last summer - yet he feels unrewarded.
He believes his hard-earned status is being ignored, despite being a decisive figure in two Champions League triumphs and the current holder of FIFA’s The Best award.
But this tension didn’t start overnight. On September 22, there was a surprise meeting at the club’s Valdebebas training complex. The mood was already uneasy. Vinícius had been left out of the starting lineup twice in Madrid’s first four matches (against Oviedo and Marseille) and subbed early against Espanyol. Frustrated, he reportedly warned that if things didn’t change, he would consider leaving in the winter.
The meeting eased tensions temporarily - bridges were built, and both sides agreed to move forward. Yet the calm proved short-lived. Vinícius was benched again against Getafe, a decision he didn’t understand. The Clasico substitution reignited everything. Weeks of bottled-up frustration came to the surface in one explosive moment.
So far this season, he has started 10 of Madrid’s 13 games, completing just three in full.
What does the future hold for Vinícius?
Right now, every scenario remains on the table. Vinícius still identifies deeply with the club and wants to stay. His contract runs until 2027, and ideally he’d like to extend it. But he feels the situation is becoming unsustainable.
He doesn’t blame the club itself - he still senses strong institutional support - but rather the coach’s lack of faith. Alonso’s tactical plan, he believes, doesn’t fit his strengths.
Renewal talks have stalled, adding another layer of tension. By next summer, Vinícius will enter the final year of his deal. That means Madrid could be forced to sell below market value or risk losing him for free the following year.
A fragile truce
Vinícius was convinced he still had 20 minutes to change the game in El Clásico and felt the substitution made no footballing sense. From his perspective, he was playing well - very well - and the decision was unfair.
For its part, Real Madrid is standing firm. The club continues to back Alonso completely and is deeply unhappy with Vinícius’ public reaction.
The situation, for now, remains volatile. The relationship between coach and player is near breaking point - and Madrid’s locker room is feeling the heat.
Everblessed10
137
Whatever the situation is in life if you don’t feel valued or appreciated then it’s up to you to make a decision if you want to continue to be treated that way or make a change and I think Vini has to make a decision because he has been treated unfairly ever since mbappe joined the club
Wiseknor
73
Come join us at Barcelona to do what Luis Figo did from Barcelona to Real Madrid. So you from Real Madrid to Barcelona it's good for me Alonso is not fare about you Junior
Futurewan
62
Those changes nearly costed Real Madrid. Alonso doesn’t seem to know what he is doing.
Akekala
43
I don't blame him, even me I would be done too after this!😂😂😂
dotcdlmrt
39
Vini should go to the USA and be a star without rival. He is disrespectful to Rodrigo who is not in any way a bad player. Coach thought Rodrigo would offer something different. That's his job. Now everyone is in an awkward position
tisiopruz
10
Whatever the situation is in life if you don’t feel valued or appreciated then it’s up to you to make a decision if you want to continue to be treated that way or make a change and I think Vini has to make a decision because he has been treated unfairly ever since mbappe joined the club
He's a super who also has personal ambitions which is definitely the Balon'D'or. Using him this way in most important games, especially when's completely in the game can never allow him to reach his personal goals and ambitions. It is best to leave to a bigger club desperately in need of a left winger. I support Vini 100%
ZizoArmani10
8
Whatever the situation is in life if you don’t feel valued or appreciated then it’s up to you to make a decision if you want to continue to be treated that way or make a change and I think Vini has to make a decision because he has been treated unfairly ever since mbappe joined the club
How can you support Vini in this, and you’ll call yourself a Madridsta, One thing I know for sure is that, no one is bigger than the club and you saying he’s not being appreciated clearly means you know nothing, the same club that did everything for him and made him who he is today, the same club that boycotted the ballon’d’or for his sake because he didn’t win and you think he’s not appreciated. Vini brought all this on himself, why isn’t Rodrygo complaining despite being even limited to play time, vini has a very bad attitude for our club and that’s why Alonso needs him to change or he’ll end up being sold out. I completely understand that he had a great game yesterday but when the manager makes the decision to sub you off then you have to respect that and not create more problems for yourself. This is so unacceptable from vini. Even CR7 that’s rude doesn’t do this like I said before he brought this on himself
fatiklnoy
8
Whatever the situation is in life if you don’t feel valued or appreciated then it’s up to you to make a decision if you want to continue to be treated that way or make a change and I think Vini has to make a decision because he has been treated unfairly ever since mbappe joined the club
that is the truth