The football world has been thrown into chaos once again, as a massive internal conflict has erupted at Real Madrid — one that could completely reshape the future of both the club and one of its brightest stars, Vinícius Júnior. According to multiple Spanish and British reports, the Brazilian winger, once hailed as the “jewel of the Bernabéu,” has been removed from the first team rotation by manager Xabi Alonso after a heated clash during the recent El Clásico against Barcelona.
Sources close to the club describe the atmosphere as “explosive.” What began as a tactical disagreement reportedly turned into a shouting match between Vinícius and Alonso in the locker room after the match. Alonso, known for his strict discipline and old-school leadership, was said to have accused the Brazilian of “putting personal glory ahead of the team.”
Vinícius, however, did not back down. Witnesses claimed that the 24-year-old star “stood up and shouted back,” saying:
“I give everything for this club, but I’m tired of being treated like a problem instead of a player!”
The argument escalated so quickly that teammates Jude Bellingham and Toni Kroos had to intervene to separate them. By the next morning, Vinícius was reportedly informed that he would not be part of the starting lineup “until further notice.”
The news spread like wildfire through Madrid’s training center in Valdebebas, and within hours, international outlets began reporting that Vinícius had privately given the “green light” to his agents to open talks with Manchester City — a move that could send shockwaves through European football.
According to The Telegraph, Pep Guardiola has long been an admirer of Vinícius, considering him the perfect long-term replacement for Jack Grealish or even as a partner for Erling Haaland. The Brazilian’s dynamic speed, creativity, and dribbling would fit perfectly into City’s system — and after this latest controversy, it seems the door might finally be open.
However, what truly stunned both fans and Vinícius himself was Real Madrid’s response. The club reportedly set a transfer price of €350 million ($380 million) for any team wishing to sign him — a figure so astronomically high that even Manchester City executives were said to have “laughed in disbelief.”
A close friend of Vinícius told El País:
“He couldn’t believe it. He said, ‘So they don’t want to play me, but they also won’t let me go. What kind of respect is that?’ He feels trapped.”
Behind the scenes, tensions between Vinícius and Real Madrid’s management have been building for months. Despite being one of the club’s most marketable stars, Vinícius has reportedly grown frustrated with what he sees as a lack of protection and appreciation, both from referees and from the club itself. Some insiders claim that the young forward feels isolated after the departure of close allies like Benzema and Ancelotti, and now that Xabi Alonso’s stricter regime has taken over, his emotional outbursts are no longer tolerated.
Fans are now divided. Some defend Vinícius, saying that his passion and fiery attitude are what make him a world-class player. “You can’t cage a lion and expect him not to roar,” one Madridista wrote online. Others, however, side with Alonso, insisting that “no player is bigger than the club.”
As the situation continues to unfold, reports suggest that Vinícius could even consider rebelling against the club — possibly by refusing to train or publicly demanding a transfer — if Real Madrid refuses to lower their asking price. Such an act would mark one of the biggest scandals in modern football, potentially rivaling Neymar’s dramatic exit from Barcelona in 2017.
Meanwhile, Manchester City is said to be monitoring the situation closely, ready to strike if negotiations become realistic. Guardiola has reportedly told the club’s board that he “would love to work with Vinícius” and that his arrival would “add a new dimension” to City’s already star-studded attack.
For now, Real Madrid has remained silent on the issue, but Spanish media report that President Florentino Pérez is furious about the public leak of the internal dispute. Some claim he has called for a “closed-door meeting” with both Vinícius and Alonso to prevent the conflict from spiraling further.
Still, the damage may already be done. The once unbreakable bond between Vinícius Júnior and Real Madrid appears to be crumbling under the weight of pride, emotion, and power.
As one Spanish journalist wrote today:
“When a jewel begins to feel like a prisoner, the cracks in the crown are only a matter of time.”
Whether this ends in reconciliation or an earth-shattering transfer to Manchester City, one thing is certain — the Bernabéu has just exploded, and European football may never be the same again.
