Former Nigerian international, Sunday Oliseh, has suggested that Real Madrid could allow Vinicius Jr. to leave the club amid the ongoing crisis with manager Xabi Alonso.
The tension between Alonso and Vinicius has escalated during the 2025-2026 season, largely stemming from disagreements over the player’s tactical role, playing time, and contract situation.
Reports also indicated that Vinicius has told the club he will not extend his contract, which runs until 2027, unless the issues with Alonso are resolved.
His public apology following El Clásico notably omitted any mention of the manager, intensifying speculation about the rift.
Commenting on the situation on his Sunday Oliseh’s Global Football Insight show, Oliseh said Real Madrid might prioritize keeping Alonso over the Brazilian star.
“Los Blancos, in my opinion, have a Vinicius problem, and this problem is not the player’s fault, or anybody’s for that matter,” the 51-year-old remarked.
“It is just the circumstance that has made it a problem in the sense that Kylian Mbappe, one of the best players in the world, was brought in while they had another world-class superstar also playing in the position Mbappe is meant to play.
“Now, you have two prima Donas, but one has had to adapt his game to be able to play as a number nine, and he’s been scoring non-stop. But Vinicius, this year, has been struggling, and the manager himself has had some clashes with him, and it isn’t playing out well.
“When you have a top team like this with top players and a new coach comes in, at a point, a balance problem comes in, and the team suffers for it. I’m afraid one of them will have to go [Alonso or Vinicius], and I don’t think it’ll be the boss. There is a very strong possibility that Vinicius might have to move on, but that is not up to me.
“The club have the luxury of telling Vini to go, that way, Mbappe can go back to his natural position.”
