Real Madrid is no stranger to controversy, but the latest internal crisis involving Brazilian star Vinicius Junior has shaken the Santiago Bernabéu to its core. In a shocking turn of events, the 25-year-old winger reportedly issued an ultimatum to the club: if rising star Endrick remains in the squad, he will walk out the door. The demand has not only stunned fans but also drew a firm and dramatic response from head coach Xabi Alonso, whose handling of the situation may have reshaped the club’s hierarchy moving forward.
Vinicius, one of Real Madrid’s most celebrated players in recent years, had initially requested a pay rise—despite already earning a staggering €35 million per season. The request came shortly after fellow superstar Kylian Mbappé, who earns €25 million, also pushed for improved terms. However, under Florentino Pérez’s firm wage policy, the club has adopted a maximum salary structure to maintain financial balance, effectively turning down both players’ requests.
What followed was even more startling. According to insiders, Vinicius, feeling slighted and increasingly overshadowed by Mbappé’s growing influence, pivoted his frustration towards Endrick, the 20-year-old Brazilian prodigy. Vinicius allegedly declared, “If that 20-year-old kid is still here, I’m leaving the club.” The comment, intended to unsettle the young striker’s position, instead became the catalyst for an internal uproar that forced Alonso to step in.
Endrick, despite being new to the senior setup, has shown glimpses of brilliance during his limited appearances, including at the FIFA Club World Cup. Real Madrid sees him as a generational talent, the future face of the club. Vinicius’s threat was therefore interpreted not just as a personal frustration but as a challenge to the club’s entire direction. His ultimatum put the board in a tight spot—and fans began voicing their discontent across social media, accusing Vinicius of letting ego override loyalty.
Xabi Alonso, who took over managerial duties from Carlo Ancelotti earlier this year, responded with striking clarity. “This is Real Madrid. No player is bigger than the club,” Alonso stated at a press conference, following their 4–0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semifinals. His words were calm but firm, signaling that no amount of star power would be allowed to disrupt the club’s principles. According to sources, Vinicius was stunned into silence by Alonso’s blunt message behind closed doors.
Tactically, Vinicius has been struggling to adapt to Alonso’s system. Since his appointment, the Spanish manager has favored a 3-5-2 formation, often deploying Vinicius in an unfamiliar role as a central forward. Gone are the days when Vinicius operated freely on the left flank. With Alonso demanding more defensive discipline and tactical fluidity, the winger’s creative spark has often looked stifled, and his frustrations have visibly grown.
In recent matches, those tensions have begun to show. Against Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup, Vinicius was close to being benched, only getting a start due to an injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold. While his stats—36 goals in 50 games—remain impressive, Alonso’s substitutions and lineup choices increasingly reflect a shift in priorities, with Vinicius no longer the first name on the team sheet. In contrast, Rodrygo, another Brazilian forward, has gained Alonso’s trust and is being groomed for a more consistent starting role.
Amid the turmoil, Premier League giants like Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal are reportedly watching the situation closely. There’s also renewed speculation about a monumental €1 billion offer from Saudi club Al-Hilal. Yet, Vinicius is believed to be reluctant to move to the Middle East due to his ambition of one day winning the Ballon d’Or—an achievement he knows may be out of reach outside Europe’s top leagues.
For now, the ball is in Vinicius’s court. His future hangs in the balance as he faces a tough decision: embrace the changing dynamics at Madrid or seek a fresh challenge elsewhere. If he fails to mend the fractured relationship with Alonso and the club’s leadership, a dramatic summer transfer could be on the horizon.
Alonso has made his stance clear. He wants discipline, unity, and commitment to the club’s evolving project. For Real Madrid, the coming season is no longer just about titles; it’s about establishing a sustainable footballing identity. Whether Vinicius remains part of that vision depends on whether he can put the team above his personal grievances.
In the end, Real Madrid will continue with or without him. The club has always thrived amid star exits—from Ronaldo to Ramos. Vinicius may be a superstar, but at the Santiago Bernabéu, no one is irreplaceable.