• Vinícius ignores Alonso, sparks speculation about his future at Real Madrid
• He did not stop there, heading straight to the tunnel leading to the locker room, in a move interpreted as a clear refusal to sit on the bench

In a development that fueled rather than ended the controversy, Brazilian star Vinícius Júnior issued a public apology to Real Madrid and its fans over his angry reaction after being substituted in the Clasico

However, notably, he ignored mentioning his coach, Xabi Alonso, the man directly involved in the incident

The “Merengues” had secured a 2-1 win over archrivals Barcelona, but the celebration was overshadowed as Vinícius stole the spotlight with his angry behavior when substituted 15 minutes before the final whistle

With this “partial” apology, attention now turns to the explosive relationship between the Brazilian star and the Spanish coach, with speculation that this incident may be just the tip of the iceberg

Inside the Clasico explosion

Real Madrid’s winger made global headlines not for his performance, but for his controversial reaction. At the moment of his substitution, the 25-year-old player openly showed his anger, directing sharp looks toward the bench

Footage revealed a heated exchange between him and coach Xabi Alonso, who maintained a cold, unflinching expression, refusing to engage in a public argument in front of the cameras.

Vinícius then proceeded directly to the tunnel leading to the locker room, an act interpreted as a firm refusal to sit on the bench, before eventually returning to join his teammates in the final minutes of the match

The apology that “forgot” the coach

In an attempt to contain the situation, Vinícius posted an official statement on social media explaining his position and apologizing

However, he was selective in whom he addressed, saying: Today I want to apologize to all Real Madrid fans for my reaction when substituted in the Clasico As I did personally during training today, I also want to apologize again to my teammates, the club, and the president

He justified his behavior, attributing it to his intense desire to win: Sometimes my emotions get the better of me because I always want to win and help my team. My competitive personality comes from my love for this club and everything it represents. I promise to keep fighting every second for Real Madrid, just as I have since day one

A rift in the relationship

It is worth noting that there was one person Vinícius “forgot” to mention in his official apology: coach Xabi Alonso

Alonso bore the brunt of his player’s anger in front of millions on Sunday evening, while the match was still in full swing

By omitting him from the reconciliation statement, Vinícius has only fueled speculation that their relationship is “fractured” and that the rift is both real and deep

This deliberate omission has opened the door for widespread speculation, with media outlets questioning whether this incident could mark the beginning of the end, and whether one or both might leave the club if tensions persist

Strength of character or escalation of the crisis

This apology is the second by the Brazilian star in a few days, after he had previously apologized on behalf of the team for the “mass brawl” that erupted between players during the derby, addressing young fans who witnessed the disturbing scenes

This time, the apology was personal, with the Real Madrid star raising his hands in acknowledgment of his mistake

Some interpreted the act, despite the “ongoing attacks on him on and off the pitch,” as proof of his strong character

However, this strength of character has not been enough to dispel rumors

By ignoring Alonso, Vinícius turned what could have been a mature gesture to resolve the crisis into further evidence of a real division

Currently, Alonso leads his team successfully at the top of La Liga, but the bigger question remains: does the Spanish coach control his locker room, or has Vinícius’ competitive drive and personality become too big for the club to contain