![\"Real](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1777232533_142_0x0.jpg\")
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Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid CF celebrates a goal during the La Liga EA Sports match between Real Betis and Real Madrid at La Cartuja Stadium in Seville, Spain, on April 24, 2026. (Photo by Jose Luis Contreras\/NurPhoto via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
NurPhoto via Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u200b<\/p>\n
Few demonstrations of Xabi Alonso\u2019s Real Madrid struggles were more visible than his clashes with Vin\u00edcius J\u00fanior.<\/p>\n
Often substituted by the Basque coach, the Brazilian was seen making visible displays of frustration as he exited the field, appearing to challenge the coach\u2019s decisions.<\/p>\n
The action was bold, but since Alonso was ultimately fired, it demonstrated the dissatisfaction of one of the club\u2019s prominent players.<\/p>\n
In his own eyes, Vin\u00edcius is, as he said, after winning the FIFA Best Men\u2019s Player of the Year award in late 2024, untouchable. <\/p>\n
\u201cI am the best player in the world and I fought hard for it. They tried and still try to invalidate me, to diminish me. But they are not prepared. No one is going to tell me who I should fight for, how I should behave.”<\/p>\n
Statistically, Vin\u00edcius\u2019s goal contributions have not always matched the recognition he seeks.<\/p>\n
Across five years, his 107 goal contributions rank 12th in Europe.<\/p>\n
He trails Kylian Mbappe (209), Harry Kane (211), Mohamed Salah (181), and Erling Haaland (193).<\/p>\n
While Vin\u00edcius is capable of remarkable moments, their consistency has not always matched the levels of their top peers. <\/p>\n
Given his stats and with Madrid having one of Europe\u2019s top goal contributors, it\u2019s unsurprising that a team-focused manager wouldn\u2019t build around him.<\/p>\n
Vin\u00edcius\u2019s public response to Alonso\u2019s management suggested he was aware of his significant influence within the club.<\/p>\n
Why wouldn\u2019t he? The club boycotted the 2024 Ballon d\u2019Or because Rodri, not Vinicius, won the award.<\/p>\n
The prioritization of player influence over coaching decisions has coincided with less successful results for the club.<\/p>\n
For a second season, Madrid has not secured a trophy; they currently trail Barcelona in the league and recently exited the Champions League after a loss to Bayern Munich.<\/p>\n
MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 15: Alvaro Arbeloa, Head Coach of Real Madrid, reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025\/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between FC Bayern M\u00fcnchen and Real Madrid CF at Football Arena Munich on April 15, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Getty Images<\/p>\n
Alonso\u2019s successor, \u00c1lvaro Arbeloa, included high-profile players in his lineup, but this approach did not yield desired results.<\/p>\n
Again, the statistics speak clearly: Alonso has 10 more wins than his predecessor, and his 70% win rate tops the current coach\u2019s 63%.<\/p>\n
The recent campaigns, shaped in part by prominent individual roles, have resulted in two seasons without trophies.<\/p>\n
The current squad, built around notable signings such as Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe, has struggled to establish clear on-field leadership.<\/p>\n
As Predrag Mijatovic told AS, Madrid\u2019s past success came from leaders, not just big names.<\/p>\n
\u201cMadrid lacks a leader on the field. The top scorer isn\u2019t always the leader,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor example, Zidane was the best for a while, but France\u2019s leader was Deschamps. Now we need a Hierro, a Ramos, a Ra\u00fal.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone who can do two or three things on the field and pull everything together.<\/p>\n
\u201cA leader, a coach on the field. Madrid has excellent players, but I don\u2019t see a figure who\u2019ll say, \u2018What the hell are you guys doing? ‘<\/p>\n
Madrid\u2019s success came from adapting the Galactico policy to sign top names, not just prospects.<\/p>\n
Indeed, Vinicius himself arrived in Spain as a player with great potential, not the finished product.<\/p>\n
The return to all-star lineups began recently, and there is now apparent acknowledgement of the mistake. <\/p>\n
Journalist Anton Meana, connected to the hierarchy, suggests as much at the turn of the year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is the first time that, speaking with important people at the club, I perceive the feeling that the plan has failed regarding the generational relief in the centre of the field,\u201d<\/p>\n
Around 20 years ago, current president Florentino P\u00e9rez left the club with a statement that could apply to this team with each passing day.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have built a team of great players for which I am solely responsible,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have spoiled them, and they have become confused. I have acted like a father by giving the best to the kids, which has led to their confusion. I am the only one to blame.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid CF celebrates a goal during the La Liga EA Sports match between Real…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12262,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[7352,82,83,2420,7351,1248],"class_list":["post-12261","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-madrid","tag-nbsp","tag-madrid","tag-real-madrid","tag-vinicius-junior","tag-what-real-madrid","tag-xabi-alonso"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12261","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12261"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12261\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12262"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12261"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12261"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12261"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}