There's a surprise, Vinícius Júnior already knows why he is a substitute, Rodrygo explains it to him

The past few months haven't been easy at all for Vinícius Júnior. Since he inexplicably lost the Ballon d'Or, the Brazilian star's morale has plummeted. His performance has dropped and, as a result, he has lost his status as an undisputed starter at Real Madrid.

In the few matches that have been played this season, Xabi Alonso has chosen to start Rodrygo on two occasions, relegating Vinícius Júnior to the bench. This is a situation that was unthinkable just a few months ago and is now a topic of debate among fans and media. In fact, many believe that Vini's departure from Real Madrid is closer than ever.

Rumors about Vinícius Júnior's future

After Vinícius Júnior's latest appearance as a substitute against Marseille, all kinds of rumors have emerged. Some suggest that his salary demands during contract renewal negotiations have taken a toll on him. According to these reports, Florentino Pérez may have ordered a reduction in his importance to the team until the contract situation is solved.

Others claim that the real problem lies in confidence. The overwhelming personality that took him to the top has been diminished after losing the most prestigious award in soccer. Without that conviction in his play, Vinícius Júnior's performance has been far below what was desired.

Xabi Alonso, clear with his decisions

Amid so much speculation, Xabi Alonso was forced to step up after the match against Olympique de Marseille. The coach was blunt when speaking about Vinícius Júnior: "There will be a moment for everyone. Nobody can play every match, and nobody should feel offended if on some occasions it's not their turn", he concluded.

This way, the coach sought to ease the tension, defending that rotations are necessary. However, the fact that he referred directly to Vinícius shows that the issue is also a concern within the locker room.

Rodrygo hints at the real reasons

Even more revealing were Rodrygo's words, who, without mentioning him directly, dropped hints about the real reason that has led Vinícius Júnior to the bench in more than one match. "It's a pleasure to play with Kylian Mbappé. We have a great connection, we complement each other a lot, even in training", the Brazilian explained.

This comment fuels the theory that Vinícius Júnior hasn't managed to find the necessary chemistry with the French star. While Rodrygo gets along perfectly with Mbappé, his compatriot seems to go it alone when they're on the field together. This is something Xabi Alonso doesn't like at all and could be behind his appearances as a substitute.

The current scenario is clear: Mbappé is untouchable, and Vinícius will have to adapt to this new reality if he wants to regain prominence. Meanwhile, his role as a substitute remains one of the hottest topics among Madridists.