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Football Insider

Real Madrid Troubles: Vinicius Jr Refuses Contract Renewal Amidst Allegations of Unhappiness with Xabi Alonso

Real Madrid's star player Vinicius Jr has reportedly declined to renew his contract with the club, citing a strained relationship with manager Xabi Alonso. Alongside Vinicius, four other key players are rumored to be dissatisfied with Alonso's coaching methods.

Real Madrid Troubles: Vinicius Jr Refuses Contract Renewal Amidst Allegations of Unhappiness with Xabi Alonso

Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr has reportedly told the club he currently has no plans to renew his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu due to a difficult relationship with manager Xabi Alonso. The Brazilian is said to be one of five players at Real Madrid who are not happy with the new manager's methods after he replaced Carlo Ancelotti at the helm in the summer.Vinicius is out of contract in 2027 and is yet to reach an agreement with the club to extend his stay. According to The Athletic, he has informed Los Blancos he will not renew his current deal "while his relationship with head coach Alonso remains so strained". The disconnect between the two made the headlines during Madrid's Clasico win over Barcelona earlier this season. Vinicius was seen ranting after being taken off by Alonso in the second half of the match. He subsequently issued a public apology for his behaviour but raised more eyebrows by neglecting to mention his manager in his statement.Alonso sought to play down the controversy with Vinicius after the game. He told reporters: "On Wednesday we had a meeting with all the players and Vinicius was very good, impeccable. He spoke from the heart, with sincerity, and for me the matter is settled."For me, it [Vinicius' apology] was a very valuable, very positive statement, in which Vinicius showed honesty. For me, what matters is what he said to his team-mates, the club, the fans. For me, the matter is closed.”Real Madrid opted not to sanction Vinicius for his outburst, with Alonso confirming: "it's settled, there will be no reprisals."Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Vinicius is not the only player unhappy with Alonso, according to Mundo Deportivo. Jude Bellingham, Fede Valverde, Endrick and Rodrygo are also named as key stars who do not possess a great relationship with the coach. After a summer of speculation about a summer exit, Rodrygo has started only three La Liga games for Madrid this season, while Endrick looks set to head out on loan to Lyon. Meanwhile, Valverde has been forced to speak out amid allegations he refused to play in a defensive role for Alonso.Real have suffered some poor results this season which have put Alonso's future at the club under scrutiny already. The loss to Liverpool in the Champions League and subsequent 0-0 draw at Vallecas against Rayo have not impressed fans who are also not enjoying the team's style of play. Madrid then followed those two results with a 2-2 draw against Elche last time out, needing a late equaliser from Bellingham to snatch a pointAlonso spoke to the press after seeing his team drop points again at Elche. He was quizzed on his decision to start Vinicius on the bench once again and insisted the Brazilian understood his decision to leave him out of the starting XI."No, we had discussed it. We talk about it often. He understands; he knew the role he could play. We've done it before, like in Getafe. Today we're not happy, but everyone is eager to get back on track," he told reporters. Alonso also insisted his relationship with the players is growing, adding: "We haven't fallen apart. We're still competing; the context of each match is different. The result is what matters, and we're aware of that and self-critical. The spirit is good; we have to respond to adversity. This is Real Madrid. We live with criticism; we want to improve."The connection is improving; we have more time and interact more, we know each other better. We're all in the same boat, we celebrate victories. We suffer if we don't win. The connection is good. We need to turn this situation around, starting with Athens."Real Madrid will aim to bounce back on Wednesday in the Champions League against Olympiacos and all eyes will be on Alonso's team sheet to see if Vinicius is back in the XI. Anything other than victory for Alonso's side will bring more scrutiny on the boss and his players, particularly with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City up next for Los Blancos in the Champions League.

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Vinicius Jr's Contract Standoff

Real Madrid sensation Vinicius Jr has communicated to the club his decision not to extend his contract beyond 2027 due to ongoing challenges with head coach Xabi Alonso. Their troubled rapport came to the fore during a recent Clasico match against Barcelona, where Vinicius was visibly upset after being substituted.

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Team Dynamics at Risk

Besides Vinicius, other players supposedly facing discord under Alonso include Jude Bellingham, Fede Valverde, Endrick, and Rodrygo. This discontent within the squad could spell trouble for Real Madrid's cohesion and performance on the pitch.

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Alonso's Response and Performance

In light of the turmoil, Xabi Alonso has attempted to downplay the issue, emphasizing positive communication with the players. However, the team's recent results, including a draw with Elche, have left fans and the management questioning Alonso's strategies and leadership.

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Challenges Ahead

With crucial matches on the horizon, particularly in the Champions League, the pressure is mounting on Alonso and his contentious relationship with the players. Real Madrid's upcoming games against Olympiacos and Manchester City will serve as pivotal moments to gauge the team's unity and resolve.

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The Path Forward

As Real Madrid navigates through these turbulent times, all eyes will be on how they address the internal rifts and managerial concerns. The performance on the field and the harmony within the squad will be crucial factors determining the club's success in the ongoing season.

Published on Nov 24, 2025