Vinicius Jr. speaks out after fiery Clásico incident with Xabi Alonso

Real Madrid returned to training Wednesday with a notable reunion between coach Xabi Alonso and Vinicius Jr., following the Brazilian’s fiery reaction when substituted by Rodrygo with 20 minutes left in El Clásico against Barcelona.

From the start, Real Madrid left the aftermath in Alonso’s hands, with the final outcome dependent on the private conversation the coach promised at the end of the match. That conversation took place in Wednesday’s session, bringing closure to the incident.

A cordial exchange between professionals

The meeting between the two was constructive and professional. Both have navigated high-pressure situations countless times, making understanding and resolution a natural process. Afterward, Vinicius issued a public apology.

Vinicius’ full statement

“Today I want to apologize to all Madrid fans for my reaction when I was substituted in the Clásico.

“As I already did in person during today’s training, I also want to apologize again to my teammates, the club, and the president.

“Sometimes my passion gets the better of me because I always want to win and help my team. My competitive spirit comes from the love I feel for this club and everything it represents.

“I promise to keep fighting every second for the good of Real Madrid, as I have since day one.”— Vinicius Jr., @realmadrid"

Time to reflect and move forward

Vinicius spent the last two days reflecting on the incident while enjoying a short break with his partner in Monaco, according to his social media posts. The meeting with Alonso went as expected, constructive and discreet, with the club keeping details under wraps.

The situation appears fully resolved. Alonso, a former player, understands the pressure athletes face in matches of this magnitude, and Vinicius is clear about his role: supporting the team in every possible way, regardless of position or minutes on the field.

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