Real Madrid’s emphatic 5-0 win over Kairat Almaty in the Champions League left an unexpected image: Vinícius Júnior’s frustrated reaction when he was substituted in the second half. What seemed like anger directed at Xabi Alonso actually had a different explanation. According to a report from AS, the Brazilian wasn’t upset with his coach but rather with some of his teammates.

Vinícius, frustrated with his teammates

Captain of the team in that match, Vinícius showed signs of irritation when he was taken off with 20 minutes left. Many thought his protest was aimed at Xabi Alonso for not letting him finish the game, especially after a start to the season with irregular playing time.

However, the true reason for his frustration was different: the Brazilian felt his teammates had ignored him on several occasions when he was well-positioned to receive the ball. Two plays in particular seemed to bother him—one where Arda Güler chose not to pass to him, and another where Franco Mastantuono opted for a different outlet.

After the match, Xabi Alonso downplayed the situation: “It was more of a comment we understood than a complaint. There’s no issue with Vinícius.”

Between criticism and the pressure of being a star

Beyond this episode, Vinícius is going through a complicated stretch. After being considered one of the favorites for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, his prominence at Real Madrid has since diminished. He finished 16th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings, while others like Kylian Mbappé and Arda Güler have taken more minutes and spotlight.

Statistically, the Brazilian still delivers solid numbers: he leads the team in assists (four) and has scored three goals, the same as Güler. However, Mbappé remains the standout offensive figure with eight goals and nine direct goal involvements.

Xabi Alonso calls for calm and balance

The Madrid coach, questioned after painful defeats against PSG in the Club World Cup and against Atlético de Madrid in La Liga, urged for composure in his press conference: “We shouldn’t get too high after a victory or too low after a loss. The more balanced we are, the better our performance will be.”

Looking ahead to the clash with Villarreal, Xabi Alonso highlighted the possible return of Jude Bellingham to the starting XI as he continues recovering from shoulder surgery. He also mentioned the situations of youngsters like Endrick, still awaiting his debut, and goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who could see minutes in the Copa del Rey.

In a dressing room packed with competition, Vinícius’ frustration reflects the difficulty of coexisting in a squad full of stars. Despite the momentary anger, the Brazilian remains a key player for a Real Madrid determined to stay at the top of European football.