Xabi Alonso gives view on Vinicius Junior contract situation and benching | OneFootball

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has given his view on the future of Vinicius Junior, who begins the season in a very different situation than he did last year. Now no longer the primary star of the Real Madrid attack, Alonso chose to leave him on the bench in their second game of the season.

That said, the Basque manager did get a reaction out of Vinicius, who came on for the final half hour, in which he scored and assisted. His benching comes amid doubts about his future, with two years left on his deal, and no plans for contract talks to resume before the end of the season.

‘I’m very happy with Vini’ – Xabi Alonso

Despite that, Alonso told the media on Friday that he was set for a fundamental role during his tenure.

“I’m very happy with Vini. Against Oviedo, he showed he can have a big impact off the bench. We’re just getting started… and he’s going to be fundamental.”

Naturally, anything else would have brought a fresh twist to the story, something Alonso is no doubt keen to avoid. The Real Madrid manager stated that he expected Vinicius to show the right attitude to being dropped.

“In a dressing room, the key is that everyone is willing to contribute, whether on the pitch or from somewhere else. Truly believing in this is essential. Believing in the group is important. And everyone here does. Vinicius is important in this, Valverde, Courtois… they’re all very important.”

‘Left-wing is a good position for Rodrygo’ – Alonso

This week it has been reported that Rodrygo Goes asked Alonso for the chance to compete with Vinicius on the left side of attack, having generally been employed on the right by Carlo Ancelotti, as a way of accommodating both Rodrygo and Vinicius.

Image via Planeta Real Madrid

“His best form has come out in different positions. He’s been a number nine and even a number ten. But I think the left wing is a very good position for him. After playing less for a few games… it was important for him to feel back in the team’s dynamic.”

“Telling you what I’m going to do wouldn’t be very smart of me (laughs). We’ll see tomorrow,” Alonso chuckled, when asked who would be playing there against RCD Mallorca on Saturday night.