Xabi Alonso Defends Vinícius Júnior Amid Crowd Whistles in Real Madrid’s Victory

omidbasir- Xabi Alonso described Vinícius Júnior as “fundamental” to the team, defending the forward’s performance after he faced criticism from sections of the crowd during Real Madrid’s emphatic 5-1 victory over Real Betis at the Bernabéu on Sunday.

The match saw young talent Gonzalo García shine with a hat trick, while Raúl Asencio and Fran García also found the net, securing Madrid’s first victory of 2026 and keeping them four points behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona.

Vinícius demonstrated strong play in the first half, compelling Betis to substitute their struggling right-back, Ángel Ortiz, at halftime. However, his performance waned in the latter stages, leading to whistles from fans when he was replaced in the 77th minute.

In the post-match press conference, Alonso addressed the crowd’s reaction, stating, “I think Vini contributed a lot. He started the game well and was instrumental in getting [Ortiz] booked, which forced their change in right-back. Vini was very dangerous, especially in the first half. He continues to contribute to the team, and I personally liked his game. He will be critical for us as we head into the Supercopa match against Atlético.”

This week, Madrid will travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for the Supercopa, with a semifinal scheduled against Atlético Madrid on Thursday, followed by a potential final on Sunday.

Although Vinícius has not scored in his last 15 appearances, dating back to early October, Gonzalo García’s performance was a silver lining, marking his first goals of the season.

“Gonzalo had a dream game,” Alonso remarked. “Playing at the Bernabéu in his first season with the first team and scoring a hat trick is remarkable. I am thrilled for him; he exhibits an impressive attitude every day, regardless of whether he plays or not, and he is an exemplary product of the Real Madrid academy.”

García, who excelled last summer at the Club World Cup as the tournament’s joint top scorer with four goals, has had limited minutes this season. On Sunday, he stepped in for Kylian Mbappé, who was sidelined with a knee sprain and remains uncertain for the Supercopa.

“It’s a special afternoon,” García expressed. “I am incredibly happy to begin the year like this. Scoring my first hat trick at the Bernabéu is unforgettable. Real Madrid is highly competitive. I recognize I am the natural replacement for Mbappé, but the coach and my teammates always instill confidence in me.”

“I acknowledge that I haven’t had many minutes,” García continued. “However, that’s understandable with Mbappé ahead of me, who is having a spectacular season, scoring consistently. He is the best player in the world, and my focus must remain on my own development.”