Xabi Alonso Breaks Silence on Real Madrid Fans' Explosive Vinicius Junior Controversy
Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso stood firmly behind Vinicius Junior, calling him "crucial" to the squad, following the Brazilian star's reception of jeers from supporters at the Bernabéu during Sunday's match.
The Spanish powerhouse began the new year impressively, claiming a commanding 5–1 victory against Real Betis despite missing the injured Kylian Mbappé. Gonzalo García earned significant acclaim from the home supporters for his flawless hat trick, while teammate Vinicius Jr faced harsh criticism once more.
The 25-year-old forward, despite showing promise early in the contest, concluded the match without finding the net for his 15th straight game with Real Madrid. As Arda Güler took his place in the 77th minute, the home faithful expressed their displeasure with Vinicius Jr's display through audible jeers.
Following the negative response, reminiscent of what the No. 7 experienced during the club's 2–0 triumph against Sevilla, Alonso defended his star winger during his post-match media session.
"In my view, Vini has given us plenty," the Spanish manager stated. "He drew a yellow card (from opponents), he's relentless ... I particularly appreciated his first-half display. He's crucial. The Super Cup is approaching and he'll play a key role.
"We comprehend the circumstances. Vinicius shows maturity, we show maturity and we must respond accordingly. We aim to deliver our finest performance. Vinicius remains, has always been and will remain vital for Madrid. I'm confident the Bernabéu will celebrate him."
Federico Valverde Shows Public Support for Vinicius Jr
Real Madrid skipper Federico Valverde aligned with Alonso in backing Vinicius Jr following Sunday's triumph. The Uruguayan shared an image of his colleague embracing his son, who appeared with his sibling as mascots for the Real Betis encounter.
"The Valverde household will forever cherish and respect you Vini," Valverde shared on Instagram.
The current debate around Vinicius Jr primarily originates from his reaction during El Clásico, when the attacker marched off angrily after Alonso substituted him against Barcelona. The former Flamengo talent offered both private and public apologies for his behavior, though the incident didn't help his standing with Madrid supporters.
Coupled with his recent dip in performance and stagnant contract talks due to alleged wage expectations, Vinicius Jr faces an unusual situation with fans who previously celebrated his achievements.
Nevertheless, as Alonso emphasized, a simple return to peak performance could see the Bernabéu once again embrace the 2024 Ballon d'Or second-place finisher warmly.