Vinicius Junior put in a top-class performance as Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 in Sunday’s ‘El Clasico’ at the Santiago Bernabeu, but with just over 70 minutes gone, the fourth official held up the substitutions board displaying the number ‘7’, signaling coach Xabi Alonso’s call to take the Brazilian winger off.
Vinicius went on a long and loud rant as he walked off the pitch, not shaking hands with Alonso but passing by him, still yelling, while Alonso appeared to be ignoring him. He reportedly even threatened to leave the club. For their part, the club hierarchy are standing by any decision Alonso makes at this point.
According to AS, though the initial anger has somewhat subsided, Vinicius is now seriously considering a change of scenery, believing Alonso simply doesn’t like him. Several Premier League clubs have been credited with interest in his services in the past – this isn’t exactly the first time Vinicius has had problems of this sort in Madrid – as have clubs in Saudi Arabia. Come the end of the season, his contract will be down to its final year.
