Vinícius Jr’s Outburst Exposes Tension Within Real Madrid as Xabi Alonso Orchestrates El Clásico Triumph

Xabi Alonso marked a dream start to life as Real Madrid manager in his first El Clásico, guiding Los Blancos to a 2–1 victory over Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, extending their lead at the top of La Liga to five points.

Goals from Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé secured the win for Real Madrid, while Fermin López netted Barcelona’s only goal before Pedri was sent off in the dying minutes.

While Alonso’s tactical brilliance stole the spotlight in a high-intensity encounter, the match was equally notable for Vinícius Jr’s reaction to being substituted in the 72nd minute — a flashpoint that hinted at growing unrest between the Brazilian star and his manager.

Vinícius Jr’s Frustration Highlights Fractured Relationship

The 2024 The Best FIFA Men’s Player award winner, Vinícius Jr, is entering a pivotal phase of his Real Madrid career, with just one year remaining on his current contract after this season. Negotiations over an extension have reportedly stalled for months, fuelling speculation about his future.

Reports from Spain suggest Real Madrid would consider selling the 25-year-old winger if a substantial offer arrived, though few clubs could afford his valuation at present.

However, the Brazilian’s recent demeanour suggests dissatisfaction at the club. After being substituted by Alonso during Sunday’s clash, Vinícius was visibly furious — ranting as he walked past the manager before storming down the tunnel. He later returned to the bench but appeared unsettled and even confronted Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal after the final whistle.

“This season he’s felt that the club isn’t protecting him. There are stories circulating — possibly leaked by the club or at least not denied — suggesting Madrid would not be unhappy if someone paid €250 million (£218 million) for him,” Spanish football expert Guillem Balague told the BBC, explaining the deteriorating relationship.

“He senses all that, and when Alonso subbed him — fairly, because Vinícius had stopped tracking back as he should — his reaction was, ‘Why me again?’ It will be difficult to rebuild trust between the club and Vinícius right now.”

Alonso’s Tactical Masterclass Secures Vital Win

Despite the off-field concerns, Alonso can take great pride in his tactical approach and how effectively his players executed the plan. Remarkably, seven of Real Madrid’s previous eight managers had lost their first La Liga meeting with Barcelona, but Alonso broke that trend in style.

The new coach has implemented a refined positional play model at Real Madrid, and the early results are promising. His deployment of Jude Bellingham has also evolved — giving the England international greater creative freedom compared to the all-encompassing role he played under Carlo Ancelotti.

Under Alonso, Bellingham operates predominantly from the right-hand side but is encouraged to drift centrally to link up with Mbappé, forming a dynamic and unpredictable partnership.

“He got it spot on. Real Madrid were excellent, and Barcelona struggled largely because of Madrid’s approach,” Balague added.

“Without the ball, they pressed high for as long as possible, and when bypassed, they regrouped quickly with discipline — everyone, including Vinícius, tracking back. They defended in two compact lines with minimal space in between, leaving Barcelona unable to find a way through.”

A Win to Savour, but Storm Clouds Linger

Real Madrid’s victory not only consolidated their lead in La Liga but also underscored Alonso’s growing authority and tactical clarity. Yet, Vinícius Jr’s outburst offers a reminder that harmony within the squad remains fragile.

If Alonso can manage those internal tensions as effectively as he managed Sunday’s tactical battle, his Real Madrid era could be set for lasting success.