At Real Madrid, dirty laundry is washed in private. So, when the Merengues saw Vinicius Junior explode with rage yesterday after his substitution during the Clasico against FC Barcelona (2-1 victory), they were not very happy. Especially since the Brazilian's scene, which was seen by billions of viewers around the world and by the entire Santiago-Bernabéu stadium, is covered almost everywhere in the press. This Monday, moreover, new revelations were made about the cable breakdown of the Madrid number 7. When he understood that he was going to be replaced by Rodrygo, he blurted out: ” Me ? Coach? Coach, me? It’s still me.” To which Xabi Alonso replied: “come on, Vini, damn it”.
Vini Jr would have insulted Xabi Alonso
The Athletic explains that he then raised his arms and said to the assistant coach, Sebas Parrilla, before returning to the locker room: “always me.” I'm leaving the team, it's better if I leave, I'm leaving”. Mundo Deportivo brings other elements and ensures that the Auriverde international would have released a “fuck you” when he learned of his exit in the 71st minute of play. Whatever the case, this new incident proves that the relationship between Vini Jr and his coach is far from idyllic. An indisputable starter in the eyes of Carlo Ancelotti, the Brazilian is not pampered by Xabi Alonso, who does not hesitate to bring him out or even start him on the bench to line up Rodrygo. A situation that the main person concerned has a lot of difficulty coping with.
The Athletic reveals that it all started this summer during the Club World Cup. The new Madrid coach had planned to leave Vini Jr on the bench during the semi-final against PSG last July. But he finally changed his plans after Trent Alexander-Arnold's injury. This did not go down with the Brazilian player, who has since been very angry with Xabi Alonso. The Vinicius Jr clan therefore expected to experience a complicated year. “It won’t be an easy season”admitted a member of the player's entourage to the English media. And we can say that this is indeed the case since he only finished 3 of the 10 games in which he started. He was also a substitute on 3 occasions.
A matter to be settled in private
Sunday, Vini Jr, who was eager to face Barça and who was very upset after Lamine Yamal's comments, took it very badly to be replaced again. His relatives were also furious. They didn't understand why he was taken out again when he got a penalty (cancelled by VAR) and had an impact. But Xabi Alonso decided otherwise and spoke about this incident after the match. “I have many good memories of Vini. I don't want to lose sight of the main point, but we'll talk about it. Vini contributed a lot, like the other players (…) We will talk about the rest. There are different personalities in teams and we need to understand them. Now we’re going to enjoy it, and then I’ll talk to him about it, of course.”
For his part, the main person reacted casually on his social networks before speaking out on Real Madrid TV. An interview that had been agreed between the club and Vini Jr. “The Clasico is like that, there are a lot of things on and off the pitch. We try to find a balance, but it is not always possible. We don’t want to offend anyone, neither the Barça players nor the supporters.” The 25-year-old, who had already expressed his dissatisfaction during the match against Espanyol last month (he was replaced in the 77th, editor's note), did not mention his anger. But his clan is convinced that these decisions are those of Xabi Alonso and have nothing to do with Real Madrid, with whom his extension is at a standstill.
Real Madrid and the group are angry with the Brazilian
Casa Blanca has not officially reacted to this new affair. As always, the club prefers to resolve this internally. But The Athletic explains that the Vini Jr case continues to divide. Some criticize his actions and others understand and justify his behavior. For his part, Marca reveals that internal sources at the club are judging this whole affair “useless” and added: “Vinicius can’t do this show. It is true that Xabi was perhaps too hasty in his replacement, but he is the third captain and must set an example. A.S. goes in the same direction and adds that Real Madrid, which fully supports the decisions of its coach, did not at all like the attitude of its player and the image he was able to give. The Madrid media adds that in the past, a player was fined for such behavior
Information confirmed by Mundo Deportivowho assures that his behavior was not at all to the taste of the club and the group. “Vinicius' attitude during the Clásico was not well received in the Real Madrid first team dressing room. Not because of the final fight, but because of his behavior when replaced by Xabi Alonso. His attitude, which consisted of complaining and storming off the field, caused a heated controversy within the club and among his teammates. “It was bad,” they say from the locker room, where they do not hide that Vinicius was wrong to get angry after his substitution. They consider him a bad teammate, even if it is not the first time that the Brazilian has expressed his anger towards Xabi Alonso when the latter decides to leave him on the bench or replace him in a match.
An expected sanction
MD continues: “the club's leaders were very unhappy with the Brazilian, which could affect the player's future. This is not new, because the extension had already been agreed for months. However, Vinicius changed his strategy, demanding more money, and Real Madrid held firm, refusing to break the team's salary scale. What seems clear for the moment is that everything suggests that Vinicius will be punished for his attitude during the replacement. The club is seriously considering it, and its behavior during the Clásico could cost the Brazilian dearly. The Spanish media explains that he could be fined, as stipulated in the collective agreement in force since 2015, which serves as the basis for club disciplinary sanctions.
His insulting remarks towards Xabi Alonso, if they were indeed said, could therefore cost him money. He risks a fine and in the most extreme cases, suspension of his job and salary for 10 days. Regarding his possible financial sanction, established according to his gross salary, it could reach 53,000 euros, according to MD. For his part, Marca assures that he will not be sanctioned. Xabi Alonso, who will meet the player, and Real Madrid will decide on him. But what is certain is that the Vinicius Junior malaise is growing more than ever in the Spanish capital. Besides, A.S. indicates that the Brazilian, who does not feel respected and who believes that Xabi Alonso does not appreciate him, does not completely rule out the idea of leaving, if his situation continues and if he is not treated like Kylian Mbappé. Continued in the next episode…
