Xabi Alonso has hailed Vinícius Júnior as “crucial” and “decisive” for Real Madrid ahead of two vital matches this week against Juventus in the Champions League and Barcelona in the renowned El Clásico.
Alonso opted to bench Vinícius for Sunday’s LaLiga match against Getafe, but the Brazilian came on as a substitute and proved pivotal, causing two Getafe players to be sent off for fouling him.
This marked the third instance this season where Alonso has chosen to start Vinícius on the bench while negotiations regarding a new contract for the forward remain stalled.
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“He’s an excellent player,” Alonso stated at a press conference ahead of the Juventus match. “He’s essential for this team, not just this season but for a long time. He’s decisive, and it’s great to see him smiling. We need him to stay focused on the game and on what he does best. His daily training has been good, and he’s responding well in matches.”
Vinícius faced criticism from Getafe’s José Bordalás following Sunday’s match, with the coach suggesting the player had mocked the late introduction of substitute Allan Nyom, who was shown a red card for his challenge on Vinícius after only 39 seconds on the field. Meanwhile, defender Juan Iglesias accused Vinícius of disrespecting his opponents.
“It’s not easy,” goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois remarked on Tuesday when discussing Vinícius. “At 18, many people laughed at him. He didn’t do anything wrong against Getafe, yet everyone targeted him. He unsettled them from the start. He had a strong performance, contributing greatly to our attacking play.”
“People are unfair to him; he’s an outstanding player and helps the team a lot,” Courtois added.
With five goals and four assists in LaLiga this season, Vinícius has frequently found himself at odds with opposing players. He has also been subjected to racist abuse from fans, prompting the league to forward evidence of several incidents to hate-crime prosecutors.
“Dealing with targeted hostility in stadiums and from opposing players is tough,” Courtois said. “Vinícius has improved his game, and if he can learn to use conflict to his advantage and unsettle opponents, then that’s a positive. I had Diego Costa at Chelsea, and he was a master at that—he drove defenses to distraction. If Vinícius can do the same, fantastic. It’s crucial for us that he remains focused, as he is truly one of the best in the world.”
Alonso mentioned he is still uncertain about the availability of Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Dani Carvajal for the upcoming Clásico, stating that a decision will be made on Saturday. He also commended midfielder Arda Güler, referring to him as “a blend of [Mesut] Özil and Guti.”
“Guti had the skill to play deeply in build-up yet also excel near the forwards, playing the decisive ball,” Alonso noted. “Playing alongside Mesut was a joy. We need to continue nurturing Arda, but we are very pleased with his form, maturity, and role in the team.”