Vinicius Junior 'Destroys' Xabi Alonso With Filthy Nutmeg at Training
- Vinicius Junior pulled off a cheeky nutmeg on coach Xabi Alonso during a Real Madrid training session
- The clip quickly went viral, showing a lighter side of their relationship and easing rumours of tension between them
- Vinicius is reportedly among six players who are believed to be uneasy with Alonso's way of playing
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso took part in a rondo during training, and Vinicius Junior wasted no time slipping a neat nutmeg past him the instant the opportunity arose.
Alonso and Vinicius have reportedly had a strained relationship, with disagreements on and off the pitch creating tension between the coach and the star winger.
Source: Getty Images
The difficult dynamic is said to be influencing Vinicius’s future at the club, with reports claiming he may choose not to renew his contract due to the ongoing issues with Alonso.
However, the tension appears to have eased recently, as Vinicius delivered a strong performance against Olympiacos in Wednesday’s Champions League match, suggesting an improvement in their on-field rapport.
During Real Madrid’s training, a moment quickly went viral, widely seen as loaded with tension. In a rondo session, Vinicius Junior didn’t hesitate to nutmeg Xabi Alonso the moment the ball reached him.
Alonso, who often joins possession drills to push the team’s intensity, was caught off guard as Vinicius lifted his head and slid a clean, effortless tunnel between the coach’s legs.
The locker room reaction was a mix of shock, laughter, and disbelief, the perfect combination of mischief and surprise.
Vinicius among 6 players unhappy with Alonso
COPE’s Arancha Rodríguez reports that as many as six Real Madrid players are deeply dissatisfied with Xabi Alonso’s management style.
The disgruntled group is said to include Vinícius Jr., Federico Valverde, Rodrygo Goes, Brahim Díaz, Endrick, and Ferland Mendy.
Tensions between Vinícius and Alonso have been simmering for months and appeared to reach a breaking point during last month’s Clásico, when the Brazilian angrily reacted to being substituted.
Vinícius pointedly omitted Alonso’s name from his public apology and is reportedly unwilling to discuss a contract renewal while the Spaniard remains in charge.
Source: Getty Images
Valverde, for his part, has struggled to adapt to Alonso’s system and has even been deployed at right-back due to injuries, a role the Uruguayan is said to be unhappy with.
Rodrygo has found playing time difficult to come by, despite Alonso attempting to use him in his preferred left-sided role, while Brahim remains frustrated at his limited minutes despite performing well when called upon.
As for Endrick and Mendy, they are currently the two senior outfield players with the fewest minutes this season.
Senior players unimpressed with Alonso
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Real Madrid’s players reportedly believe Xabi Alonso has an inflated sense of self, with some claiming he “thinks he’s Pep Guardiola.”
Several high-profile stars are said to be frustrated with his demanding training methods, fuelling rumours of a growing rift between the squad and their new manager.
Source: AFP
