Vinícius Junior Halts Transfer Talks Over Alonso Tensions at Real Madrid

Real Madrid attacker Vinícius Júnior has reportedly halted all contract-renewal discussions with the club, following rising tensions with manager Xabi Alonso. Multiple sports sources indicate that the relationship between the Brazilian star and the new coach has deteriorated significantly in recent months, prompting Vinícius to pause talks that had initially appeared to be moving forward.

According to reports, the rift between both men deepened over disagreements concerning Vinícius’ playing time, tactical positioning and repeated substitutions in key matches. One of the turning points is believed to have occurred during the Club World Cup, when Alonso initially planned to bench him before being forced into a late tactical reshuffle.

The friction escalated further during the October El Clásico against Barcelona when Vinícius reacted angrily to being withdrawn in the 72nd minute, uttering comments suggesting it might be “better” if he left the team. Although he later issued a public apology to the club and supporters, he pointedly avoided mentioning the manager, which many interpreted as a sign of unresolved tension.

Behind the scenes, Vinícius is said to have met with Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, expressing deep concerns about his working relationship with Alonso and insisting that signing a new contract under the current conditions would “not make sense.” While Real Madrid recently offered him a renewed deal reportedly worth around €20 million per year, sources close to the player maintain that the core issue is not financial. His camp is more concerned about his long-term role in the team and whether he remains valued as a central figure in the club’s sporting project.

For his part, Alonso has defended his decisions, explaining that his rotation policy is designed to protect players and maintain squad balance across a demanding season. He has dismissed the notion of personal conflict, insisting that his substitutions and tactical choices are based purely on sporting logic. However, the data shows that Vinícius has completed very few full matches under Alonso, a trend that appears to have heightened the player’s frustration.

Real Madrid officials continue to downplay the severity of the situation, but the standoff has raised concerns within the club’s hierarchy. Vinícius remains one of Madrid’s most influential players, and any long-term uncertainty about his future could have significant sporting and financial implications. With his contract running until 2027, the club would prefer to tie him down to a new long-term agreement rather than allow doubts to grow around one of their most valuable assets.

As things stand, negotiations remain frozen, and both sides appear unwilling to shift their positions. Whether the tension eases or leads to a more dramatic outcome in the coming months will depend largely on how the relationship between player and manager evolves, and whether Real Madrid can reassure Vinícius that he remains indispensable to the club’s future.