Vinicius Junior has revealed that he did not have a good rapport with Xabi Alonso during his tenure at Real Madrid. Their strained relationship became evident during a heated moment when Vinicius was substituted in El Clasico last October. Despite public statements suggesting otherwise, it appears their connection remained tense.
During the match, with Real Madrid leading 2-1, Alonso chose to replace Vinicius, who exited the pitch visibly upset, saying, “Always me, I’m better off leaving [the club].” This incident is often referenced as a key moment in Alonso’s declining relationship with the team. Speaking before Real Madrid’s match against Bayern Munich, Vinicius acknowledged the difficulties in their interactions.
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“I played in matches but not for many minutes. Different coaches have different approaches, and I didn’t align with his expectations. However, it was a learning opportunity, and I look forward to continuing under Arbeloa, with whom I share a strong connection and who has always supported me,” he noted.
Vinicius Reflects on Clasico Substitution
Addressing the substitution incident specifically, Vinicius admitted he overreacted. Interestingly, he did not mention Alonso in his public apology.
“It was not a pleasant moment, and I apologized to everyone. I enjoy playing every game and hadn’t come off before. In hindsight, I recognized my mistake. I’m young, and it’s all part of my growth experience,” he stated.
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‘I Share a Special Bond with Arbeloa’
Earlier in the press conference, Vinicius expressed his intention to renew his contract with Real Madrid, with manager Alvaro Arbeloa playing a significant role in this decision. Vinicius remarked on his positive connection with the former Castilla coach.
“I’ve developed a special bond with Arbeloa, similar to what I had with Ancelotti. He has always been clear about his expectations of me, and I will continue to give my best. I recognize that I have not scored in a while, but I’ve learned from this challenging period, and the best players know how to rebound.”
Fan Support Essential Against Bayern Munich
As Real Madrid prepares for their quarter-final against Bayern Munich, they are regarded as underdogs following a disappointing 2-1 defeat to RCD Mallorca. Vinicius called on the fans for support.
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“The connection between the players and fans is vital; it significantly influences the atmosphere during home games and Champions League matches. We’re facing a strong team, but we have experience in these situations, and we hope to perform well,” he added.
Setback Against RCD Mallorca
The defeat against Mallorca left Real Madrid seven points behind Barcelona in the title race. Following the match, Arbeloa accepted responsibility, stating that he could not motivate the team to be fully focused. Vinicius explained the team’s struggles to maintain that focus.
“Sometimes we have better days than others. Unfortunately, we were not as focused as we needed to be against Mallorca. Coming back from the break, as the manager pointed out, you must be at 200% to win matches,” he said.
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“We didn’t connect as well as we hoped; we had just returned from international duty. We need to be at our peak, as the manager emphasized.”
Vinicius has faced a challenging first half of the season but has found his rhythm under Arbeloa, contributing to 10 goals in his last ten games, including important braces against Atletico Madrid and Manchester City.