Real Madrid’s recent 4–0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup has intensified scrutiny around the team, including manager Xabi Alonso, who is now under pressure to make some tough decisions. The Spanish side were outplayed in all areas by their French opponents, and questions are starting to emerge about the balance and structure of the squad.
Vinícius, long considered one of Real Madrid’s standout performers, has suddenly found his place in the starting eleven under threat. According to Spanish outlet El Chiringuito, negotiations over a contract extension have stalled. With only two years left on his current deal, speculation is growing that Vinícius could be tempted by a big-money move to Saudi Arabia.
For much of his time at Madrid, Vinícius has been given the freedom to focus on attacking, with limited defensive responsibility. That setup worked well when he was the team’s primary threat. However, now that Kylian Mbappé has joined and is also granted that same level of tactical freedom, the team’s balance has been compromised. Opponents like PSG have been quick to exploit it.
If Alonso wants to restore Real’s competitiveness in La Liga and the Champions League, he may be forced to drop one of his attacking stars to regain more defensive solidity. While selling Vinícius would be a bold and possibly unpopular move, some believe it might serve the team’s long-term goals.
Letting him go would also allow Mbappé to move back to his preferred position on the left wing. Throughout the 2024–25 season, he was often played as a central striker, a role that didn’t fully maximize his strengths.
If Vinícius does leave, Alonso would need to bring in another attacker, possibly a natural striker who could complement Mbappé’s game and help restore balance to the forward line.
