No one expected the dream to turn into a nightmare so quickly. Two years ago, Brazilian Vinicius Junior was the favorite to win the Ballon d'Or, but last Saturday he found himself facing the wrath of the Santiago Bernabéu crowd. This dramatic turn of events reflects the deep crisis gripping Real Madrid, who are preparing to host Monaco on Tuesday in a crucial Champions League match.
Disaster week and technical leadership change
Real Madrid is experiencing one of its most difficult periods in recent years, having suffered what can only be described as a "triple shock" in just 72 hours. The disaster began with a painful 3-2 defeat in the Spanish Super Cup final against arch-rivals Barcelona, a loss that hastened the departure of coach Xabi Alonso and the appointment of Álvaro Arbeloa in his place. The misfortunes didn't end there, however, as they were followed by a humiliating exit from the Copa del Rey at the hands of second-division side Albacete, igniting a firestorm of anger in Madrid.
Bernabeu Hell: When the fans lose their patience
Historically, Real Madrid fans are known as the most demanding in the world, with even club legends not spared their boos when performance dipped. Before the La Liga match against Levante, the fans unleashed their fury on the players, singling out English star Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior, waving their famous white handkerchiefs and demanding the resignation of president Florentino Perez. Cameras captured a poignant scene of Vinicius in the tunnel leading to the pitch, his face buried in his hands, burdened by the jeers that followed him with every touch of the ball, whether attempting a dribble or a pass.
Declining performance and contract renewal complications
Since the beginning of 2024, Vinicius has lost the luster that nearly propelled him to the pinnacle of world football. A large segment of the fanbase believes that the player's behavior, particularly the altercation he caused in El Clásico, indirectly contributed to the team's instability and the dismissal of Alonso. Amid this tense atmosphere, negotiations to extend his contract, which expires in 2027, have stalled, with the 25-year-old demanding a pay rise, a demand fans deem unjustified given his modest statistics this season (five goals in La Liga and zero in the Champions League).
Arbeloa defends, and Monaco has a chance to make amends
Despite the tense atmosphere, new coach Alvaro Arbeloa tried to protect his star, stressing in his statements that the Bernabeu always demands the best, and reminding everyone of Vinicius's virtues in winning the Champions League titles in 2022 and 2024. Arbeloa praised the player's courage in asking for the ball and not being afraid of making mistakes.
Now, all eyes turn to the match against Monaco, who are also struggling with poor results in Ligue 1. This game is of paramount importance to Real Madrid, currently seventh in their Champions League group, as a win is crucial to securing a top-eight finish and direct qualification for the knockout stages, and to try and mend fences between Vinicius and the Merengues fans.
