The morning at Valdebebas looked like just another training session… until Vinicius Júnior lit everything on fire with a single touch of the ball.
In the middle of a results crisis and swirling rumors about a divided locker room, Real Madrid’s training produced a scene that is already viral — and that many are interpreting as a gesture loaded with tension: a Vinicius nutmeg on Xabi Alonso during a rondo.

Yes. A nutmeg. On the coach.

The Most Talked-About Rondo of the Year

Xabi Alonso, who often steps into possession drills to crank up the team’s intensity, joined the rondo like any other player.
The ball made its way to Vinicius, who didn’t hesitate for a second: he lifted his head, saw the coach in front of him and slipped a clean, perfect tunnel between Xabi’s legs — smooth, direct, effortless.

The reaction?
Exactly what you’d expect from a locker room caught between shock and mischief: shouts, nervous laughter, hands on heads… that mix of surprise and spice only a moment like this can produce.

Xabi handled it naturally, but the clip only added fuel to the fire of everything being discussed these past few days.

An Innocent Gesture… or a Hidden Message?

The moment arrives at the most delicate point in the relationship between Vinicius and Xabi Alonso.

Both are going through a cold spell:

• The Brazilian is uncomfortable with his tactical role.
• Xabi continues to stick to his management choices, even when they create internal debate.
• And, according to leaks, Vinicius’ contract renewal is far from agreed — especially if Xabi remains in charge.

That’s why what could’ve been dismissed as a routine bit of technique quickly turned into something else: a symbol of how tense things really are.

Was it a joke?
Was it a “I’m still here”?
Or was it just football, nothing more?

At Real Madrid, nothing goes unnoticed — especially when the protagonist is Vinicius Júnior.