Xabi Alonso will continue to back Real Madrid megastar amid lacklustre form | OneFootball

If one had to choose one player Real Madrid should be worried about as the new season kicks off, it is none other than Vinicius Jr. And while it is shocking that the Brazilian’s form has been so poor, it is equally concerning as to how rapidly he has deteriorated in level.

Last October, the player seemed set to take home the Ballon d’Or, was one of the best players in the world and a clear talisman in Real Madrid’s setup.

In fact, he pioneered the team’s comeback win over Borussia Dortmund just days before the ceremony and was the clear favourite to win the title.

Everything, however, changed in the nth minute and Rodri won the award. And while one cannot pinpoint that disappointment as the reason behind the winger’s fall, it is clear that he started deteriorating from exactly that point.

Still a starter

Xabi Alonso has made it clear from day one that he has no favouritism and that he will purely decide his lineups based on pure meritocracy. On that front, MARCA reports that he still sees Vinicius as a regular starter.

As relayed by the Spanish outlet, the winger’s status in the dressing room remains unchanged despite his lacklustre form and Alonso sees him as a definite starter for the time being.

Well below his best. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

After all, he knows well that few players in world football can claim to be better than an on-song Vinicius.

In fact, the new manager has made it one of his goals to restore the star player’s brilliance on the field and will back him to rediscover his former self. As it stands, the backup options in Rodrygo Goes and Gonzalo Garcia are both on the bench.

An added factor in the Vinicius story is his contract situation, especially with talks between the player and the club stagnating in recent weeks and reaching a stalemate.

Fans hope that his rediscovery of his fun playing for the club will help move talks forward amidst interest from Saudi Arabia and thereby boost a renewal.

It is clear that Alonso will not wait forever for the player to find his mojo once more and Vinicius is thus in a race against time to step up. The coming games will be critical in deciding his status.