They're pressuring Xabi Alonso to leave Vinícius Júnior out of the starting eleven.

The Brazilian's situation at Real Madrid is not going through its best moment. Far from the level that brought him close to winning the Ballon d'Or, his current form raises more doubts than certainties.

He doesn't find relief in the locker room either. His personal relationships with several teammates are not the best, and every day more voices are calling for a change in the line-ups.

The name that emerges as an alternative is Rodrygo Goes, his compatriot. Internal pressure is increasing, and there are players who believe he should take Vinícius's place in the starting eleven.

The Brazilian is thus seeing his star role waver, at a time when the Madrid squad needs unity and absolute commitment.

Rodrygo Goes gains support

The arrival of Xabi Alonso changed the hierarchy in the attack. Rodrygo went from being an undisputed starter under Carlo Ancelotti to becoming a rotation player in the new project.

Nevertheless, the locker room sees him differently. They consider that he is less individualistic and more supportive than Vinícius, which benefits the team collectively.

Sacrifice, tactical discipline, and the ability to adapt to different roles make some footballers ask for his presence from the start. It is not just about talent, but about fitting into the dynamics of a team that seeks to be solid.

In contrast, Vinícius's attitude generates distrust and, at times, division. That is a warning sign that Xabi Alonso can't ignore.

Florentino Pérez forced to intervene

The latest times the Carioca has been benched have been a thorny issue. Every time he has been left out of the starting line-up, the media noise and internal tensions have even forced Florentino Pérez to intervene.

The president knows that having a discontented figure can destabilize the locker room, but he also understands that the current performance doesn't justify a guaranteed spot.

The dispute between the two Brazilians is more alive than ever. Although Xabi Alonso has no qualms about benching Vinícius during the second halves, the player interprets it as a lack of trust.

Rodrygo takes advantage of every opportunity he gets, showing that he can be a starter in several matches.

Although competition is healthy in theory, the reality is that it has become a battle with a much more complex background.

A difficult decision for Xabi Alonso

The Basque coach will have to manage one of the most delicate situations since his arrival. Meritocracy clashes with seniority, and internal pressure increases with every match.

If Vinícius doesn't soon recover his best form, the arguments for Rodrygo to win the starting spot will become increasingly solid. The locker room has already spoken, and the Brazilian battle at Chamartín is on.