The romance between Vinicius and Real Madrid seemed indestructible. But this Saturday, the Bernabéu pronounced a sentence that could change everything.
The departure of Xabi Alonso should have eased tensions and marked a new beginning. But at Real Madrid, calm never lasts. On Saturday, during an insipid victory against Levante, the Santiago Bernabéu looked for culprits for the latent crisis that is brewing. And his target was obvious. More than anyone else, a player was jeered at, whistled at every ball, designated as the symbol of a team that lost its soul. A public humiliation for a player with such an emotional character.
“I don’t want to play where they don’t want me.”
The breaking point seems to have been reached. According to explosive information from the Spanish daily El Periódico, the public reaction was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Hurt and feeling betrayed by a public that he had made so dream of, Vinicius Jr would have confided to those around him his desire to pack up. The sentence, reported by the newspaper, is unequivocal: “I don’t want to play somewhere where they don’t want me.” A statement which sounds like an ultimatum and which plunges the club into chaos.
This is not the first time that the Brazilian has expressed his discomfort. But this time, the threat must be taken very seriously. The conflict with Xabi Alonso was just a symptom. The real injury comes from the stands. Vinicius does not understand how the supporters could turn against him, he who carried the team, won Champions Leagues and who did not hesitate to play thankless cup matches when other stars left. “erased“This feeling of injustice is aggravated by negotiations for his contract extension which are dragging on, with the club refusing to align it with the status of Kylian Mbappé.
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A credible start? Options on the table
Is a departure really credible? Yes, because the bond of trust with the supporters, essential for a player like him, is broken. The public defense of his new coach, Álvaro Arbeloa, may not be enough to put the pieces back together. The crucial question remains: who can afford Vinicius Jr? The list is extremely short. Only a few clubs can dream of such an operation. PSG, always in search of world stars, is an obvious destination. Saudi Arabia, with its limitless financial power, is another avenue.
The file is now on Florentino Pérez’s desk. The president must manage a major crisis, born in his own stadium. He must choose between trying to win back the heart of his star or agreeing to see her leave, which would constitute a resounding failure. Vinicius Jr’s future at Real Madrid has never been more uncertain.
