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.