Ahead of the Champions League clash between Real Madrid and Juventus at the Santiago Bernabéu, both Thibaut Courtois and Xabi Alonso spoke to the media about the team’s current form. Yet, most of the focus turned to Vinícius Jr., who played a decisive role in the win over Getafe, coming off the bench to completely change the game and draw two red cards from the opposition.

Courtois stands firm: “People are very unfair to Vinícius”

The Belgian goalkeeper didn’t hesitate to defend his teammate, calling out the unfair criticism that the Brazilian has faced since arriving in Spain.

“When he was 18, a lot of people laughed at him. He didn’t do anything wrong — he came on, and from the first minute, everyone was against him. It’s normal for him to react. They’re always trying to provoke him, and still, he made them lose their heads. He responded well and helped us create danger. People are very unfair to him. He’s a great kid and just needs to keep doing his thing,” said Courtois.

A respected voice in the Real Madrid dressing room, Courtois also highlighted Vinícius’s brilliant start to the season and his growing importance within the team:

“He’s had a great start to the season, and I expect more of that tomorrow and on Sunday.”

Xabi Alonso: “Vinícius is happy, and you can see it in his football”

For his part, Xabi Alonso also praised the Brazilian’s current mindset and confidence, emphasizing the positive change in his attitude in recent weeks:

“Vinícius is incredible — fundamental and decisive. I’m happy to see him enjoying himself, smiling… We talked about the impact he could have and how he could change the game. We need him to stay focused on what he does best. His daily work is excellent, and he’s responding really well in matches.”

The manager knows that the most dangerous version of Vinícius appears when he’s focused solely on playing football, avoiding distractions and provocations.

A more mature and unstoppable Vinícius

The evolution in Vinícius Jr.’s mentality is clear. Instead of reacting to taunts, he’s channeling his energy into his game, becoming even more lethal on the pitch. His growing understanding with Kylian Mbappé and Arda Güler in this new era under Alonso has been one of the keys to Real Madrid’s strong form.

Within the club, there’s a shared belief that this renewed focus will make him an even more dominant force. As Courtois reminded everyone:

“When Vini is focused, he’s unstoppable.”

The Brazilian heads into the clash with Juventus in top form, with the full confidence of both his teammates and his manager. In a squad full of stars, Vinícius Jr. continues to cement his place as one of the most decisive figures in Xabi Alonso’s project.