Vinicius Faces Uncertain Future Amidst Managerial Tensions at Real Madrid

Not long ago, Real Madrid was willing to tolerate Vinicius Jr.’s egotistical behavior, sometimes even supporting it.

The winger was confident that he would win last year’s Ballon d’Or, even mentioning his anticipated triumph during a heated exchange with Gavi toward the end of Madrid’s 4-0 defeat to Barcelona just two days before the ceremony in Paris.

This incident offered a revealing glimpse into his mindset. Vinicius appeared to believe that boasting about his Ballon d’Or candidacy while his team suffered a humiliating loss to their fiercest rivals was appropriate, suggesting that individual accolades outweigh collective failures in a team sport like football. Ultimately, however, the joke was on him, as he did not win the award, which he took very poorly.

Despite Rodri deserving the honor as the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner, Vinicius chose not to attend the event celebrating the Manchester City midfielder’s victory. Furthermore, not a single representative from Real Madrid was present. An unnamed source commented to AS, “It is obvious that the Ballon d’Or and UEFA do not respect Real Madrid, and Real Madrid is not where it is not respected.”

This display of indignation was ironically more revealing about Vinicius and Madrid’s conduct than they might have realized. While they felt disrespected, it was, in fact, they who disrespected Rodri.

Madrid’s decision to boycott the Ballon d’Or was something they could rally around, but Vinicius’ evident clash in personality with coach Xabi Alonso presents a more significant challenge for the club’s president, Florentino Perez, and his administration.

Alonso, a well-liked leader as evidenced by his success with Bayer Leverkusen, approaches man-management and team tactics quite differently than his predecessor, Carlo Ancelotti. Ancelotti’s fatherly rapport with Vinicius and other Brazilian players played a role in his coaching tenure and responsibilities with the Brazilian national team.

With Alonso’s arrival, it was expected that some friction would arise, but it was viewed as a necessary shift from the lackluster final season under Ancelotti. The prevailing thought was that Madrid’s superstars, including Kylian Mbappe, would benefit from a more structured approach.

Indeed, Mbappe has thrived under Alonso, winning the European Golden Shoe last season with 31 goals in 34 La Liga games, and his performance has continued to improve this season. Mbappe is now undoubtedly the leader of Madrid’s attack and the face of the club, fulfilling Perez’s vision to bring him from Paris Saint-Germain to Madrid.

However, this shift has left Vinicius feeling less valued than before at the Bernabeu. His current contract expires in two years, and although an extension was once regarded as a certainty, uncertainty now looms over his future, largely due to his strained relationship with Alonso.

The first signs of tension emerged during the Club World Cup when Alonso informed Vinicius that he would not start in the semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain, which did not sit well with the forward. Ultimately, Vinicius started the match due to an injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold, but he was dissatisfied with being deployed out of position on the right wing. Though he contributed to Madrid’s promising start to the 2025-26 season, it became evident that he was unhappy with Alonso’s rotation policy and frequent substitutions.

During a 2-0 victory over Espanyol on September 20, Vinicius expressed his displeasure after being substituted with 13 minutes remaining, visibly frustrated and throwing a water bottle on the ground.

His behavior has been met with mixed reactions. Alonso, exhibiting remarkable composure, addressed Vinicius’ conduct with grace, noting that similar feelings of disappointment occur for all players.

Vinicius’ outburst during the Clasico has drawn significant criticism, contrasting with the high expectations surrounding such a monumental fixture. Former Brazil international Luis Fabiano criticized Vinicius for disrespecting his teammate Rodrygo, while former French international Christophe Dugarry expressed fatigue over Vinicius’ antics, suggesting that he should reflect on his performances rather than blame the coach.

Steve McManaman also voiced his frustration, emphasizing that the focus should be on team achievements rather than individual grievances.

Conversely, Toni Kroos defended Vinicius, stating that the emotions during a Clasico are intense and difficult to manage. His teammate Dean Huijsen similarly argued that the media was overreacting to the incident and praised Vinicius as a valuable teammate.

However, the apology Vinicius issued post-incident was criticized for lacking acknowledgment of Alonso, which many perceived as a blatant oversight. Amidst ongoing speculation, reports indicate that Vinicius is contemplating a departure from Madrid, with BILD suggesting that a sale could occur at season’s end.

A potential move to Saudi Arabia has been discussed, as it may be challenging for any elite European club to meet Real Madrid’s estimated €150 million asking price. While Alonso currently enjoys a position of strength with Madrid leading La Liga, Vinicius’ recent performances have raised questions about his future at the club.

Despite his belief in his talent, Vinicius is not the standout player at the Bernabeu, with Mbappe now regarded as Madrid’s new star. As former France international Emmanuel Petit remarked, Vinicius seems to be struggling with the changing dynamics within the team.

With promising young talents emerging, Vinicius’ spot in the starting lineup could be at risk. If he were to be sold, the resulting financial gain could be reinvested in acquiring a top-tier center-forward.

For now, Alonso appears focused on maintaining harmony within the squad, recognizing Vinicius’ potential contributions to the team’s aspirations for silverware this season. However, Alonso has also indicated that for Vinicius to regain his best form, he must feel valued and comfortable—conditions that are currently unmet, possibly leading to an eventual departure from Madrid.