The drama surrounding Real Madrid’s thrilling 2-1 victory over Barcelona in the latest El Clásico hasn’t ended with the final whistle. According to reports from Spain, Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior is seriously reconsidering his future at the Santiago Bernabéu following a tense confrontation with manager Xabi Alonso during the match.
The Flashpoint: Substitution Sparks Anger
The tension erupted in the 72nd minute when Alonso decided to substitute Vinicius in the middle of a heated contest that Madrid eventually won.
The 25-year-old looked visibly frustrated as he left the pitch, shouting “Always me!” toward his coach before storming down the tunnel muttering, “Better I just leave.”
Although Vinicius later returned to the touchline to celebrate his team’s win — which extended Los Blancos’ lead at the top of the La Liga table to five points over Barcelona — his anger didn’t seem to cool. After the final whistle, the Brazilian star was reportedly involved in a verbal exchange with Barça youngster Lamine Yamal, adding more fuel to an already fiery night at the Bernabéu.
AS Reports: Vinicius Feels Alonso No Longer Trusts Him
Spanish outlet AS revealed that Vinicius now feels his coach’s trust is fading. Despite being one of Madrid’s most influential players in recent years, he reportedly believes his contributions are no longer appreciated.
Since joining Real Madrid in 2018, the Brazilian forward has scored 111 goals in 336 appearances and collected 14 major trophies, including three La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League crowns.
However, sources close to the team claim Vinicius believes Alonso has shown more faith in Kylian Mbappé, who has been in sensational form since arriving in the summer. The winger is said to be frustrated with being substituted frequently and not being allowed to finish matches. In fact, he has started on the bench in three of Madrid’s 13 games this season across all competitions — a situation that has reportedly affected his confidence.
Internal Support for Alonso’s Decision
The controversy deepened after reports surfaced that the Real Madrid board of directors fully supported Alonso’s decision to replace Vinicius during El Clásico.
The management believes the substitution was made for tactical reasons, not personal ones, emphasizing that the coach has full authority over player rotation and strategy.
This stance, however, has left Vinicius feeling increasingly isolated within the squad. Despite his passion for the club, he reportedly feels that his efforts and leadership as one of the team’s senior figures are being overlooked.
Contract Still Long, But Relationship Under Strain
Vinicius Junior remains under contract with Real Madrid until June 2027, a deal that was signed with a release clause reportedly worth €1 billion. However, recent tensions have cast doubt on whether the Brazilian forward will see out the duration of that deal.
Sources close to the player say Vinicius doesn’t actually want to leave Madrid — a club that made him a global superstar — but he might be forced to reconsider if Alonso continues to show more confidence in other players like Mbappé or Jude Bellingham.
Alonso’s Challenge: Managing Stars and Egos
For Xabi Alonso, who took charge of Real Madrid last summer after replacing Carlo Ancelotti, this is an early test of his man-management skills. The former Spanish international, who won multiple major trophies including the 2014 Champions League as a player with Los Blancos, must now navigate a locker room filled with superstars and strong personalities.
Keeping balance between new arrivals and long-time pillars like Vinicius could define the success of Alonso’s tenure. Fans and pundits alike are watching closely to see how the coach handles the situation — and whether he can restore harmony before it escalates further.
Vinicius’ Next Step: Stay or Go?
While there’s no official indication that Vinicius has requested a transfer, Spanish media have begun speculating about possible destinations should he decide to move on. Premier League clubs such as Manchester City and Chelsea are rumored to be monitoring the situation closely.
For now, Vinicius continues to train with the first team, but his body language and interactions with Alonso during recent sessions reportedly remain tense. As one insider put it, “Vinicius still loves Real Madrid, but love alone may not be enough if he feels unwanted.”
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