Xabi Alonso Slams Vinicius Jr's On-Field Meltdown as Real Madrid Star Loses Control
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso dismissed Vinicius Junior's frustration over being substituted, stating that despite the player's displeasure, he remained satisfied with the Brazilian winger's performance.
Vinicius has enjoyed four consecutive seasons as a guaranteed starter for Real Madrid, becoming a central figure in Carlo Ancelotti's championship-winning squad. However, that untouchable position has quickly diminished under Alonso's short tenure.
The 25-year-old was benched in favor of Rodrygo for Madrid's Champions League opening match against Marseille during the week and also began the club's inaugural away fixture of the new campaign as a substitute.
Alonso included Vinicius in his starting lineup for Saturday afternoon's match against Espanyol but withdrew him in the 77th minute with Madrid leading 2–0. The speedy attacker had set up Kylian Mbappé's powerful goal two minutes into the second half and, according to Alonso himself, was experiencing his finest period of the match when his number appeared on the fourth official's substitution board.
Vinicius threw a water bottle to the ground and gestured in frustration before Alonso approached him for a discussion on the sideline.
The former Madrid midfielder expressed no concerns about his player's response. "The only element missing from Vinicius's game was a goal," Alonso told reporters after the match. "It's accurate that he left the field when he was at his peak and I could have delayed his substitution, but I felt we needed energized players to maintain our advantage. Vinicius wished to continue because he was in good form."
"Franco [Mastantuono] also wanted to keep playing," Alonso noted. "He asked me, 'Are you substituting me?' And I replied, 'Yes.' A similar situation occurred with Vini."
"He wasn't particularly pleased, but neither was Franco," Alonso added. "This affects everyone, but I'm extremely satisfied with Vinicius's display. The fixture list is challenging and we must continue forward."
One player who appears unaffected by Alonso's rotation policy is Mbappé. The French striker continued his excellent season start with a spectacular long-range goal and might have scored another after unleashing eight attempts on Saturday.
Mbappé wasn't substituted until the 89th minute—when he showed no protest as he was replaced by the returning Jude Bellingham—after playing in a deeper role for the first time under Alonso.
"Today he performed a different function, as a creator, and we discussed our requirements, and he had the duty to stay closer to the midfield players, with everything that involves," Madrid's manager praised. "Kylian comprehends football exceptionally well and executes perfectly what you request of him. It was for a different responsibility in a somewhat altered position than normal."