Xabi Alonso has confirmed that there will be “no punishment” for Vinícius Júnior following the player’s frustrated exit during Real Madrid’s Clásico victory against Barcelona. Alonso praised Vinícius’ sincere apology, stating, “the matter is now closed.”
Vinícius expressed his displeasure after being substituted in the 72nd minute of the 2-1 LaLiga match at the Bernabéu, visibly questioning Alonso’s choice before heading straight down the tunnel.
On Wednesday, the Brazil international shared an apology on social media, addressing fans, teammates, the club, and president Florentino Pérez, but notably left out Alonso’s name.
Alonso commented in a news conference on Friday, “We held a meeting on Wednesday after two days of rest. Vinícius did well; his apology was sincere. I was very pleased, and for me, the matter is now settled.”
According to ESPN, the relationship between Alonso and Vinícius has been strained, particularly following this incident, as Alonso has benched the player three times this season and had originally intended to exclude him from the starting line-up for Madrid’s Club World Cup semifinal.
Alonso stated he was not surprised or disappointed by Vinícius’ omission of him in the apology, saying, “For me, it was a very valuable and positive statement. Vinícius showed his honesty and spoke from the heart about what this club means to him. What matters most is what he conveyed to his teammates, the fans, and the club. I’m very satisfied; since Wednesday, the subject is behind us and we are focused on what’s next.”
Madrid has mentioned that disciplinary actions would remain confidential, yet Alonso confirmed that Vinícius would face no repercussions for his actions and is available to play against Valencia on Saturday.
“I’m pleased and since Wednesday, it’s settled,” Alonso expressed. “We’ve trained well, and Vinícius is in good spirits. We are unified and focused on our upcoming game, which is the priority. No punishment will be imposed.”
Discussions regarding a new contract for Vinícius, whose current deal runs until 2027, are currently at a standstill, though Alonso insisted this was not a distraction for the player.
“He appears very focused,” Alonso noted. “The other day against Barça, he performed excellently, and similarly against Juventus and Getafe. We are hopeful for the same result tomorrow.”
Alonso’s approach as a manager contrasts sharply with that of former coach Carlo Ancelotti, who had a more laid-back style.
“It’s essential to maintain authenticity, fostering a sincere and direct relationship,” Alonso remarked when asked how he navigates such situations.
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“Understanding your role and prioritizing the team’s interests is key… It’s about nurturing a good relationship built on respect, while recognizing that not everyone is the same. This requires emotional intelligence.”
A setback for Madrid following their Clásico win was an injury to captain Dani Carvajal, who had only just returned from a prolonged absence.
“Receiving the call from the doctor on Monday morning was unexpected,” Alonso admitted. “We will surely miss him. He is vital to our daily operations. It might take seven to eight weeks, but I’m not a medical professional.”