Vinicius Junior under fire as Real Madrid prepare controversial move

Robin Bairner

• 22 Dec 2025 06:01 CST
• 6 min read

Nieuws

Real Madrid have made their stance clear when it comes to Vinicius Junior – and it’s unlikely to be one that pleases either Xabi Alonso or their fans.

Vini Jr is out of contract in June 2027 and has been locked in talks over a new deal for months to prevent the possibility of him leaving either for a cut-price deal in the summer or for free at the end of his agreement.

Patience is growing short with the Brazil international, particularly from the Real Madrid support. Although Los Blancos claimed a 2-0 win over Sevilla on Saturday, Vini Jr was booed off the field when he was substituted.

The repercussions are set to be far-reaching, with the 25-year-old a divisive force in the changing room.

Vini Jr reacted to the anger of the supporters by changing his Instagram profile image from one of him in a Real Madrid shirt to one of him in the colours of Brazil.

In response, Los Blancos’ stars have thrown their weight behind the player. Both Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe posted messages of support for their team-mate.

The winger continues to have the support of the club hierarchy. President Florentino Perez is known to typically back his Galacticos over the management and appears to be doing so here, with Los Blancos eager for the player to extend his deal.

Xabi Alonso backed by Real Madrid fans in Vini Jr feud

Pressure is mounting on Vini Jr from other sources, though. His strained relationship with head coach Xabi Alonso remains an issue, and after the game, the manager notably failed to back the player.

“The fans are free to express themselves,” Alonso said of the incident. “It was a complicated match, but I value where the team is, considering the absences, and now we rest.”

Discontent from the fanbase is growing - and not only at the Bernabeu.

A Marca poll has shown that 86% of Real Madrid fans believe that the best solution for the club is to sell him.

In a further blow to the credibility of both Vini Jr and the board, the support is still firming behind Alonso.

According to the poll, which had over 100,000 votes, 76% of fans believe the former Bayer Leverkusen boss deserves more time.

Meanwhile, 61% believe that the biggest issue facing the club at present is the players, with only 16% pointing the finger at the manager, who received a more favourable rating than the board (23%).

There are also calls for the Real Madrid board to back Alonso in the transfer market in January, with 79% demanding at least one new signing.

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