The Athletic FC Podcast

Episode: Vinicius vs Xabi Alonso: What's Going On?
Date: November 26, 2025
Host: Ayo Akimolere
Guests: Mario Cortegana, Dermot Corrigan, Jack Lang

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the growing tension at Real Madrid between star winger Vinicius Jr. and new head coach Xabi Alonso. The panel unpacks the roots of their fractured relationship, the impact on Vinicius’ contract situation, the club’s shifting hierarchy with Kylian Mbappé’s arrival, and how these dynamics could shape both Real Madrid’s season and Vinicius’ future. The discussion also extends to Vinicius’ status with Brazil, the challenges of becoming a national talisman, and broader reflections on Real Madrid’s perpetual drama amid changes at the club.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins of the Vinicius–Alonso Rift

• Xabi Alonso’s Early Decisions:
  • The friction began at the Club World Cup (02:14), where Alonso planned to bench Vinicius Jr. in the semifinal—an unusual move for a star player.
  • "He has been benched four times, something that’s really unusual, not just for Vinicius, but for any star in the world of football." – Mario Cortegana [02:14-03:09]
• Stats Paint the Picture:
  • Vinicius has started only 5 out of 17 games that season, a departure from previous years.

2. Latest on Vinicius’ Real Madrid Contract

• Breakdown in Renewal Talks:
  • Following a tense El Clasico, Vinicius met with President Florentino Perez, apologizing for his reaction and discussing contract renewal. Talks are stalled, with Vinicius unwilling to extend “under the current scenario.”
  • “As long as this lack of feeling with his coach remains, it would be difficult for him to accept.” – Mario Cortegana [03:51-04:37]
  • Contract talks are further complicated by a significant wage gap.

3. Can the Relationship Be Repaired?

• Entrenched Positions:
  • Alonso is unwavering, believing benched roles can benefit the team. Vinicius views himself as indispensable, drawing comparisons to how Mbappé is treated.
  • “It’s difficult to convince Vinicius that he should happily accept he could be benched, or to convince Alonso he shouldn’t bench Vinicius. I’m not optimistic at this point.” – Mario Cortegana [05:05-06:21]

4. Florentino Perez: The Decider

• Perez’s Balancing Act:
  • While Perez feels close to Vinicius, his loyalty ultimately lies with the club’s performance and big signings—most notably Mbappé.
  • “At Real Madrid, there is only one person in control… and it is Florentino Perez.” – Dermot Corrigan [06:44]
  • “Vinicius has been really good…but his goals and assists have not been at the same standard as before. Mbappé is now the main man.” – [06:44-09:50]
• Future Uncertainty:
  • If Alonso’s tactics succeed, Perez will back him. If not, change could come in the summer.

5. Where Does Vinicius Stand Among Madrid’s Stars?

• Not the Main Man:
  • Vinicius is now “one of the stars, not the star.” This echoes Neymar’s role at Barcelona.
  • “This is Mbappé’s team now and it does not sound like Vinicius is willing to get on board with that.” – Ayo Akimolere [09:50-10:30]

6. Fan Reaction and Locker Room Dynamics

• Fan Sentiment:
  • Vinicius’ relationship with Madridistas is nuanced—he went from a “figure of fun” to being loved, but never achieved Messi or Ronaldo-like status.
  • “It’s not a case that everybody is howling at Alonso to get Vinicius back in—the jury’s still out.” – Dermot Corrigan [12:35-14:53]
• Alonso’s Approach:
  • More discipline and team structure, less catering to superstars, creating both admiration and tension.

7. Vinicius and the Brazil National Team

• Ancelotti’s Laissez-Faire Touch:
  • Vinicius thrives under coaches like Ancelotti, who offer confidence and freedom.
  • “Ancelotti has these relationships…there is a real kind of players’ lobby behind the scenes, like we want this guy.” – Jack Lang [18:21-21:22]
• Inconsistent National Stardom:
  • Despite expectations, Vinicius hasn’t made Brazil “his team.” The “star power isn’t what it was in 2002.”
  • “He hasn’t always done that, especially for Brazil…he’s kind of done it in small moments, and Brazil would love him to.” – Jack Lang [25:41-28:29]
• Room for Growth:
  • “Vinicius has the ego of the superstar…but he doesn’t have that kind of pitch confidence, the way Romario or Ronaldinho did.” – Dermot Corrigan [28:29-30:05]

8. Future Trajectory and the Threat of Disillusionment

• Possibility of Departure:
  • “Is there a worry…that we don’t fully see him flourish at Real Madrid and perhaps he ends up going to Saudi Arabia?” – Ayo Akimolere [30:05-30:45]
• Comparisons to Neymar:
  • Vinicius’ career risks echoing Neymar’s—potential unfulfilled if ego and circumstance lead to an early exit from the elite stage.
  • “He looks after himself, but yeah, I think maybe…disillusionment is there somewhere in him…The Alonso situation is troubling from that perspective.” – Jack Lang [30:45-33:43]

9. Madrid in Crisis? Or Just the Usual Soap Opera?

• Team Performance and Media Frenzy:
  • Despite leading La Liga, there is persistent internal pessimism and drama—Alonso struggles to impose his style, players are unsettled, but this is classic Real Madrid.
  • “Madrid is hilarious sometimes and everything is super magnified…Because it’s Madrid, because there’s so many egos involved.” – Dermot Corrigan [37:42-39:38]
  • “Drama circulates around and I wonder what it’s like to actually play for Real Madrid and the pressure to constantly win…” – Ayo Akimolere [39:38]
  • “They know it’s a crazy club and they love it—and I gotta respect that.” – Jack Lang [39:48-40:14]

10. Club Ownership Changes Looming

• Florentino’s Big Move:
  • Plans are afoot for Real Madrid to bring in external investment—a first for the club. If approved, this could transform the Socio model and injection of massive funds.
  • “Trying to find a legal way to allow big financial institutions…to take a stake in the club…a huge move, and Florentino is managing it really well.” – Dermot Corrigan [40:31-42:25]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Alonso’s approach:
  “Both parties feel that they are right. Alonso fully convinced he’s doing the best for the team…Vinicius feels he should be treated like Mbappé, meaning he should always be a starter.” – Mario Cortegana [05:05]

• Perez’s Realpolitik:
  “At Madrid, what really matters is winning games…whether players are unhappy or not, the president doesn’t really care as long as the team is doing well.” – Dermot Corrigan [07:32]

• On Vinicius’ superstar status:
  “He never had that kind of superstar status of a Messi or a Ronaldo…he was in position to win the Ballon d’Or because there wasn’t another really big, huge attacker in the team.” – Dermot Corrigan [12:35]

• Echoes of Neymar:
  “Parallels here to Neymar…waiting for his chance…when the baton was due to be passed, it was not there for him because Messi kept signing on.” – Jack Lang [10:30]

• Status in Brazil:
  “He has the ego of the superstar…but he doesn’t have that kind of confidence maybe on the pitch sometimes, he’s not a guy who grabs hold of a game.” – Dermot Corrigan [28:29]

• On the Real Madrid goldfish bowl:
  “It looks stressful enough covering them as journalists, I don’t know how Mario does it. I’m surprised they ever have a full night’s sleep.” – Jack Lang [39:48]

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 02:14 | Mario Cortegana outlines origins of Vinicius–Alonso rift | | 03:21 | Vinicius meets Perez, contract update | | 05:05 | Relationship breakdown, sides taking positions | | 06:44 | Florentino Perez’s stance and club hierarchy | | 10:30 | Comparing Vinicius–Mbappé with Neymar–Messi dynamic | | 12:35 | Vinicius and fans, superstar status | | 18:21 | Vinicius with Brazil, Ancelotti’s management | | 25:41 | Vinicius among Brazil’s historic greats | | 28:29 | Superstar mentality vs. on-pitch dominance | | 30:45 | Possible exit, parallels with Neymar | | 37:42 | Drama at Madrid, Alonso’s teething issues | | 40:31 | Perez and plan to change club ownership |

Conclusion

The Vinicius–Alonso standoff encapsulates the perpetual drama at Real Madrid—a club where egos, results, and shifting priorities create constant intrigue. As Vinicius faces uncertainty, both in his role under Alonso and his future status, the episode asks whether he can evolve from a star among stars to a true team-carrying talisman. For now, with Mbappé ascendant, contract talks frozen, and internal divisions unresolved, the saga continues—at Madrid and in Brazil.