This season, Xabi Alonso will be tasked with bringing out the best in Vinicius Junior – the man who lit up the big games before entering the race for the Ballon d’Or.
Despite posting impressive stats with 21 goals and 15 assists in 52 games, the Brazilian striker’s season left a sense of unfinished business for Real Madrid. At a club where demands are constantly high, Vinicius failed to deliver in key moments. His lack of rapport with Kylian Mbappé, his lack of impact in big games, and an overall disappointing season for the club have tarnished his record.
Madrid’s new coach, Xabi Alonso, will therefore have to find the levers to rekindle the spark in the 39-cap player. Beyond the numbers, Vinicius’s performances have often lacked consistency, particularly against major opponents like Arsenal or during the El Clasicos. Moreover, his on-field attitude, sometimes excessive and difficult to control, has irritated some fans.
Three interconnected factors sum up the challenge facing the former midfielder:
- Vinicius’s talent remains intact and only needs to be fully exploited.
- The tactical system , disrupted by the arrival of Kylian Mbappé, has changed the winger’s benchmarks, reducing the effectiveness of his dribbling and his initiative.
- Finally, emotional management proved lacking, with a player too often overwhelmed by his nerves.
Alonso’s mission will therefore be to build a tactical framework in which Vinicius can express his potential, rediscover his connection with the team—and, above all, create a real complementarity with Mbappé. A significant challenge, but essential for Real Madrid to regain its full attacking brilliance.
