Alonso to meet with Real Madrid megastar to discuss major issue regarding work rate | OneFootball

According to a report from MARCA, newly-appointed Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso is preparing to have a frank conversation with Vinicius Jr. when pre-season begins.

The former midfielder is determined to install a collective ethos at Real Madrid and that starts with his most explosive attacker.

Alonso plans to make it clear to Vinicius that while his attacking brilliance is undeniable, it must be matched by commitment and sacrifice for the team.

What will be the conversation about?

Within the team, there is growing concern that a lack of collective effort, especially from the forwards, has cost the team dearly in the 2024/25 campaign.

On several occasions, Madrid’s structure collapsed under pressure, largely due to forwards not tracking back or pressing with enough intensity.

The new manager knows that his system requires total buy-in from the front three, not just in attack, but also defensively.

Xabi Alonso will have a conversation with Vinicius Jr.. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)

The outlet mentions that the idea that one attacker can be “freed” of defensive duties may be accepted, but certainly not two or three.

A puzzling season for Vinicius

Vinicius ended the season with 20 goals and 17 assists, numbers that most players would be proud of. But within the club and among fans, the general feeling is that the Brazilian’s performances were underwhelming.

Despite his output, he failed to shine in the season’s biggest moments. He struggled to stamp his authority in decisive matches and did not quite live up to the standard he had set in previous years.

Worse still, his on-field demeanour, often seen as overconfident or confrontational, has started to rub some fans the wrong way.

For what it is worth, Alonso does not believe that Vinicius has lost his touch. On the contrary, he sees the winger as an essential part of Real Madrid’s future, but only if he is willing to adapt and embrace a more team-oriented approach.

The conversation between the two will not just be about tactics, but about responsibility, leadership, and attitude.