"I don't think this player will ever change" - Ex-Chelsea star on Real Madrid ace Vinicius' 'bad behaviour' towards Xabi Alonso in El Clasico

Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley has hit out at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr for his antics during the El Clasico win over Barcelona on Sunday. The Brazilian winger has landed in controversy for his 'bad behaviour' towards head coach Xabi Alonso in a game where Real Madrid emerged 2-1 winners at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Vinicius started the game but was withdrawn in the 72nd minute, as Alonso tried to protect the hosts' lead, after goals from Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham either side of Fermin Lopez's strike for Barcelona. As he was being replaced by Rodrygo, Vinicius voiced his frustration with the head coach and opted to storm down the tunnel, although he returned to the bench later.

Burley weighed in on Vinicius' attitude towards Alonso and believes the winger refused to look at the 'bigger picture'. The former Scotland international is of the opinion that Alonso had no choice but to bring in fresh legs to protect the lead and blamed Vinicius for the antics.

Speaking on ESPN FC, Burley stated:

“It’s difficult as a player because sometimes you just can’t see the bigger picture, which is that Real Madrid needed fresh legs. Brahim Diaz was already on, Mbappe was still on, so when he’s bringing Rodrygo on, he’s not going to bring him on for a midfielder. He’s not going to weaken that department when he’s trying to see the game out.

Burley also insisted that Vinicius should have never walked down the tunnel while the match was still ongoing and went on to claim that he does not expect the Brazilian to change his behaviour any time soon.

He added:

“So you have to understand that as a player and Vinicius struggles to do that. That’s bad enough, but then you take yourself to the bench and you calm down. You do not walk down the tunnel when there’s a Clasico still on against your biggest rivals. Yes, he came back out. But Xabi Alonso did not look best pleased about his antics and then disappearing down the tunnel. This is something he has to work with. I don’t think this player will ever change from this type of behaviour.”

Vinicius has long-standing interest from the Saudi Pro League. It was reported earlier this summer that he could be the subject of a world-record £302 million transfer.

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"I'm leaving the team" - Vinicius' rumored message to Xabi Alonso after Real Madrid substitution

According to The Athletic, Vinicius Jr was so angered after being substituted in the El Clasico that he told Xabi Alonso that he's leaving the club. The forward was replaced by Rodrygo in an attempt to preserve Los Blancos' lead over Barcelona, but the player did not believed he is always the one being sacrificed instead of others.

Vinicius reportedly told Alonso:

“Me? [five times] Always me! I’m leaving the team, it’s better if I leave, I’m leaving!"

Notably, Vinicius was also pictured in a spat with Lamine Yamal after the full time whistle at the Bernabeu. The incident happened due to Yamal's controversial comments about Real Madrid being a club with a habit of stealing.