Real Madrid came out victorious once again in El Clásico against Barcelona, but the win was slightly overshadowed by Vinícius Jr.’s visible frustration after being substituted in the 70th minute for Rodrygo. While the Santiago Bernabéu roared in celebration, the Brazilian left the bench and walked straight to the locker room, reportedly muttering, “I’m leaving the team, I’m leaving.”

A fiery Clásico and an unexpected reaction

The tension had been building even before kickoff, with Lamine Yamal’s comments reigniting the fierce rivalry reminiscent of the Mourinho–Guardiola era. On the pitch, Vinícius was electric — full of intensity, skill, and aggression — but also clashed with the young Barcelona winger and other opposing players.

Despite his anger at being subbed off, the Brazilian tried to tone things down afterward in the club’s official media channels:

“It was a great game. Winning El Clásico is always special. We were very motivated, and now it’s time to enjoy a bit. Thanks to all the fans who came to support us.”

He later added a more measured comment:

“We don’t want to disrespect anyone. We know that when we step onto the field, we have to defend our side. That’s what El Clásico is — there’s a lot of emotion on and off the pitch.”

Xabi Alonso: “We’ll talk about it privately”

In his post-match press conference, Xabi Alonso stayed calm and chose to focus on the team’s performance, though he hinted that a conversation with Vinícius is inevitable.

“I’m taking a lot of positives from Vini Jr.’s game and don’t want to lose focus on that. He contributed a lot. We’ll talk about the issue later. It’s an important, deserved win — maybe even too small for the chances we created.”

The Basque coach also praised his team’s maturity after a tough stretch that included losses to PSG and Atlético Madrid, emphasizing that internal matters like this will be handled “within the dressing room.”

Between euphoria and controversy

Despite the tension, this victory carries weight. Xabi Alonso became the first Real Madrid coach since Zinedine Zidane in 2016 to win his debut Clásico — a milestone that strengthens his authority and connection with the fans.

As for Vinícius Jr., his situation will remain a talking point. The Brazilian is in the middle of renewal talks, and while his performances on the field remain crucial, the club expects his temperament to stay in check as Real Madrid aims to assert complete dominance in LaLiga this season.