The end of the League, the departure of Ancelotti, the announcement by Modric, the arrival of Xabi Alonso, Huijsen, and Trent Alexander-Arnold have overshadowed one of the most controversial issues of the season: the situation of Vinicius. But now the competition is back, it’s time to talk on the pitch, and the Brazilian international will once again be in the spotlight. Real Madrid are aiming to lift the title, and to do so they need their players to perform and their stars to be decisive. If they fail to do so, someone will be blamed.
Vinicius and the Club World Cup
The Club World Cup is a new opportunity for Los Blancos to win a title before the end of the 2023-24 season, and it would be a good way to end a year in which everything has gone wrong. One of the focal points has been Vinicius, who has been well below the level expected of him, not least last season. With the arrival of Mbappé, many expected an unstoppable Real Madrid, but the team has been lackluster and only the individual quality of the players has kept a house of cards standing, which would eventually collapse in the final stretch, when the titles were at stake.
Vinicius, the negative protagonist
Vinicius‘s season did not start badly, nor was it brilliant, but there was nothing to foreshadow what was to come.
In the midst of the race for the Ballon d’Or, the Brazilian continued to show why he deserved such recognition. But his second place finish behind Rodri triggered a domino effect that has dragged on until the final days of the league season. Vinicius entered a negative spiral that was accompanied by an injury in December, and since then, he has not been the same.
His play lost effectiveness and his influence on the field faded game after game. In January, alarm bells rang with an “irresistible” offer from Saudi Arabia of $1 billion for five seasons—nothing is known about that offer today—which sparked a chain of rumors about the player’s possible departure and the conditions he was demanding for a renewal.
In the final stretch, he wanted to put an end to the off-field issues and focus on playing, but he failed to regain his form, while his commitment to the team continued to leave much to be desired, especially without the ball and in defensive duties. The Bernabéu showed him their anger, with some boos heard from the crowd and speculation about the player’s departure from the team.
Vinicius takes a gamble
The Club World Cup is an important test for Vinicius. With his contract renewal on hold and aiming to regain his best form, the Brazilian has the opportunity to win back the trust of the team, the board, and the fans. But if he doesn’t rise to the occasion, it could be a very hard blow for him, and the consequences for Real Madrid are not easy to measure. It is hoped that the arrival of Xabi Alonso will improve the aspects that have caused so much controversy during the year. The Basque coach will demand hard work and sacrifice from him. He does not have the same diplomatic skills as Ancelotti and will ask him to do what he has not done all season. In principle, it seems that the new era is beginning with the coach’s confidence, but we will see how their relationship evolves over the coming weeks.
The World Cup is key, for Xabi Alonso and for Real Madrid, but also for Vinicius, who is expected to step up and regain the status and commitment expected of him.