Vinicius Junior Questions His Real Madrid Future as Club Overlooks Xabi Alonso
Vinícius Júnior and his representatives are said to be concerned about the Brazilian star's reduced playing time at Real Madrid following Xabi Alonso's appointment as head coach.
The ex-Bayer Leverkusen tactician raised eyebrows on Tuesday when he selected Rodrygo ahead of Vinícius Júnior for Los Blancos' Champions League match. This marked the second occasion in four fixtures where Alonso relegated the talented winger, who was a regular starter under Carlo Ancelotti, to the bench.
Vinícius Júnior now faces an unusual situation: competing with his compatriot for a starting position at Real Madrid, while simultaneously navigating complex contract renewal discussions.
Per ESPN, this development has created unease among the player's representatives, who sense that Alonso lacks the same "trust" in Vinícius Júnior that Ancelotti demonstrated. Worries are allegedly mounting regarding the attacker's long-term prospects at the club.
Indeed, Vinícius Júnior has completed a full match just once since Alonso's arrival at the Santiago Bernabéu. The 25-year-old wasn't even afforded 30 minutes in the Champions League fixture, despite Real Madrid requiring a comeback against Marseille.
Alonso defended his selection choices after Los Blancos secured a 2–1 win over the French side, stating, "Everyone will have their opportunities [to feature]. No one should take offense at missing a match, given our packed schedule."
However, Vinícius Júnior's diminished status at Real Madrid might affect his contract discussions. ESPN suggests that if the "circumstances remain unchanged", the Brazilian may choose to honor his current deal with the Spanish club before departing as a free agent in 2027.
Contract negotiations have already encountered obstacles regarding wage expectations, with Vinícius Júnior reportedly seeking €20 million ($23.3 million) annually, plus €10 million in potential performance-related bonuses.
These discussions may face further complications due to the winger's alleged frustration with his role under Alonso's revamped Real Madrid setup.