Vinicius and Alonso’s Strained Relationship: A Look at Real Madrid’s Internal Dynamics

omidbasir- Vinicius is currently contracted with Real Madrid until 2027, yet he has not reached an agreement with the club regarding an extension. According to The Athletic, he has conveyed to Los Blancos that he will not renew his contract “while his relationship with head coach Alonso remains so strained.” This rift gained significant attention during Madrid’s Clasico victory over Barcelona earlier this season, when Vinicius was seen expressing frustration after being substituted by Alonso in the second half. Although he later issued a public apology for his behavior, the absence of any mention of his manager in the statement raised further questions.

Following the match, Alonso downplayed the controversy surrounding Vinicius, stating to reporters: “On Wednesday, we had a meeting with all the players, and Vinicius was very good, impeccable. He spoke from the heart, with sincerity, and for me, the matter is settled.”

He continued, “Vinicius’ apology was a very valuable, very positive statement, demonstrating honesty. What matters is what he conveyed to his teammates, the club, and the fans. For me, the matter is closed.”

Real Madrid opted not to impose any sanctions on Vinicius for his outburst, with Alonso confirming, “It’s settled, there will be no reprisals.”

However, Vinicius is not the only player expressing dissatisfaction with Alonso, as reported by Mundo Deportivo. Notable players such as Jude Bellingham, Fede Valverde, Endrick, and Rodrygo have also been cited as having strained relationships with the coach. Despite speculation about a potential summer exit, Rodrygo has started only three La Liga matches this season, while Endrick is expected to be loaned to Lyon. Additionally, Valverde has publicly addressed allegations regarding his refusal to play in a defensive role as requested by Alonso.

Real Madrid’s recent poor results have raised questions about Alonso’s future at the club. Defeats against Liverpool in the Champions League and a lackluster 0-0 draw against Rayo Vallecano have dissatisfied fans, who are also critical of the team’s playing style. The team compounded these issues with a 2-2 draw against Elche, requiring a late equalizer from Bellingham to secure a point.

In a press conference after the draw with Elche, Alonso was asked about his decision to start Vinicius on the bench once more. He maintained that the Brazilian understood the rationale behind his exclusion from the starting lineup. “No, we had discussed it. We talk about it often. He understands; he knew the role he could play. We’ve done it before, like in Getafe. Today we’re not happy, but everyone is eager to get back on track,” he stated.

Alonso further emphasized that his relationship with the players is improving, asserting: “We haven’t fallen apart. We’re still competing; the context of each match is different. The result is what matters, and we’re aware of that and self-critical. The spirit is good; we have to respond to adversity. This is Real Madrid. We live with criticism; we want to improve.”

He added, “The connection is improving; we have more time and interact more, we know each other better. We’re all in the same boat, we celebrate victories. We suffer if we don’t win. The connection is good. We need to turn this situation around, starting with Athens.”

Real Madrid will seek to recover in their upcoming Champions League match against Olympiacos on Wednesday, and all eyes will be on Alonso’s team selection to see if Vinicius is included in the starting lineup. Anything less than a victory for Alonso’s side will likely increase scrutiny of both the coach and the players, particularly with a challenging fixture against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on the horizon.