-
News
- 1 hour ago
Inside Vini Junior’s Clasico explosion – and why it could cost him at Real Madrid
Robin Bairner
- 27 Oct 2025 07:30 CDT
- 5 min read
Analysis
Vinicius Junior made headlines for the wrong reasons following El Clasico, despite playing a key role as Real Madrid overcame Barcelona 2-1 in a fiery affair.
Prior to the match, Lamine Yamal lit the touchpaper with comments about the integrity of the Bernabeu side, and if the teenage Barca star had intended to rile his opponents, it worked.
Dani Carvajal was notably seen criticising the winger, but it was Vini who exploded after the game when he became a major protagonist in a post-match scuffle, despite having been replaced 20 minutes earlier.
Current ETV
Vinicius Junior
F (CL), M (L)
Real Madrid
Vinicius Junior
F (CL), M (L)
Real Madrid
ETV Range
€90.7M - €110.9M
While the battle between the pumped-up Brazilian and the young Spaniard could have a long way to run in future Clasicos, this will depend on Vinicius Junior still being at Real Madrid for years to come.
Right now, nothing seems less certain.
Vini Junior’s uncertain future: The background
Out of contract in June 2027, Vinicius Junior is in contract negotiations with Real Madrid. At least in theory. In truth, he finds himself being slowly squeezed by the Bernabeu side.
Kylian Mbappe has been made Los Merengues’ face in recent months, which is a state of play the Brazilian is unhappy about. He has previously demanded wage parity with the Frenchman.
While there has been an apparent shift in Vini’s stance lately, Real Madrid are unhappy that he has previously tried to use interest from the Saudi Pro League to leverage his position and drive up his salary.
Indeed, the club holds general reservations about the player’s behaviour and El Clasico will only have served to increase these.
A background of frustration
Ironically, Vini Jr produced a fine match against Barcelona. He was a key offensive catalyst for the team and this, no doubt, played a role in him publicly showing his frustration as he was replaced.
“Always me,” he fumed as he trudged off after appealing to Xabi Alonso, according to The Athletic. “I’m leaving the team, it’s better if I leave, I’m leaving.”
After a spell in the dressing room, he came back out to the bench, where the coach had uttered, “Come on, Vini, damn it…” when the player was in the midst of his strop.
It’s not the first time that the pair have clashed. Alonso had planned to drop Vini Jr for the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final against PSG that ended in a 4-0 defeat. Had it not been for an injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold in the warm-up, the South American would not have started that game. When ultimately deployed, he was unhappy about playing as a right winger.
And his latest outburst reflects Alonso’s willingness to take Vini off during games. He has played a full 90 only three times this season.
What the press think
The Madrid media are backing the manager and the institution of Real Madrid in this case.
This is, according to the press, another example of Vinicius Junior being disrespectful towards his employers.
“Vinicius is going too far, complaining when he was substituted then attacking Lamine Yamal at the end of the match,” AS reports. “Florentino Perez must intervene. This is affecting the club’s image.”
Jorge Valdano, a former sporting director at Real Madrid, told Movistar: “Vinicius is losing control. He’s coming off the rails.”
What does this mean for Vini’s future?
The clash with Alonso is not going to win Vini Jr too many points towards a new deal at Real Madrid, and it may yet become a defining moment in his eventual exit from the club.
If his performance on the field was more like what Los Blancos expect of a player of his stature, the Bernabeu side also demand a higher level of behaviour and respect towards the club than the player is currently giving.
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available in the Apple App Store. Download here:
