Rancak Media – The recent conduct of Vinicius Jr. has drawn significant public scrutiny, particularly his outburst directed at Xabi Alonso after being substituted in the second half of an El Clasico fixture.
While Vinicius has since issued an apology via social media, and the club considers the matter closed, criticism of the Brazilian star continues to mount. Among the most vocal critics is former French international star, Emmanuel Petit.
Speaking to SPORT, the former Barcelona and Arsenal midfielder speculated that Vinicius’s shift in attitude began after he missed out on winning the Ballon d’Or. This perceived slight, coupled with the subsequent arrival of Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid—who has quickly become the club’s new focal point—appears to have significantly intensified Vinicius’s frustration.
This internal struggle is further highlighted by reports that discussions over his new contract extension have stalled, as Vinicius is reportedly demanding a salary on par with Mbappe’s.
Petit articulated his concerns starkly, stating, “Vinicius transformed into a problem for Real Madrid after he failed to win the Ballon d’Or, which Rodri ultimately claimed, and ever since Kylian Mbappe joined.” He further recounted the player’s frequent grievances, noting, “He constantly complains: ‘Why is it always me? Why am I the one being substituted?'”
Drawing from his own illustrious career, having shared dressing rooms with numerous world-class talents, Petit emphasized the importance of self-awareness for Vinicius. The World Cup-winning former French international didn’t mince words, delivering a sharp rebuke: “If I were in the dressing room with him, I would have a very honest conversation. I would tell him: ‘You’re not happy at Real Madrid, the biggest club in the world? Fine, go to a smaller club and be a star there.'”
The critique of Vinicius’s conduct extends beyond former players; Carlo Ancelotti, currently managing the Brazilian national team and a former Real Madrid boss, also deemed Vinicius’s behavior during the El Clasico match a mistake. Ancelotti reportedly requested Vinicius to apologize for his actions.
Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso, directly involved in the incident, also weighed in, asserting that such an outburst should be a one-off occurrence. However, should these issues persist, it could signal underlying tensions and suggest that the atmosphere within the Real Madrid dressing room is currently far from harmonious.
Summary
Vinicius Jr. tengah menghadapi sorotan tajam menyusul ledakan amarahnya yang ditujukan kepada Xabi Alonso setelah digantikan dalam pertandingan El Clasico, meskipun ia telah meminta maaf dan klub menganggap masalah itu selesai. Mantan bintang internasional Emmanuel Petit berpendapat bahwa frustrasi Vinicius berasal dari kegagalannya memenangkan Ballon d’Or dan kedatangan Kylian Mbappe, yang membuatnya merasa terabaikan.
Petit juga mencatat keluhan Vinicius yang terus-menerus dan adanya laporan negosiasi kontrak yang mandek karena ia menuntut gaji setara Mbappe. Petit dengan tegas menyarankan Vinicius untuk meninggalkan Real Madrid demi “klub yang lebih kecil” jika ia tidak bahagia, agar bisa menjadi bintang di sana. Carlo Ancelotti juga menganggap perilaku Vinicius sebagai kesalahan dan Xabi Alonso menyatakan insiden tersebut harus menjadi yang terakhir, memperingatkan bahwa masalah yang terus-menerus dapat mengindikasikan ketegangan yang lebih dalam di ruang ganti.
