Real Madrid head coach Álvaro Arbeloa has moved to shut down any speculation surrounding Vinícius Jr’s place in the team, delivering a firm message amid growing scrutiny from supporters.
The comments come at a tense time for Real Madrid, with several players coming under heavy criticism from fans in recent weeks. Poor performances have seen some players booed at the Bernabéu, with sections of the fanbase openly calling for certain stars to be dropped to the bench.
According to Fabrizio Romano via his official X handle, Arbeloa made it clear that the Brazilian forward remains untouchable as long as he continues to perform.Arbeloa said:
I don’t know if I’ve been clear… Vinicius WILL be on the pitch as long as he’s available and performing at his current level. He’s a fantastic, exceptional footballer. If I want any chance of winning, I need him.
That pressure intensified following Madrid’s Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona, a result that sparked a dramatic chain of events. Less than 24 hours later, head coach Xabi Alonso surprisingly parted ways with the club, with Arbeloa stepping in to take charge of the first team.
Vinícius Jr has been one of the players caught in the storm, with his form questioned by fans despite his importance to the team. However, Arbeloa’s stance is clear: the Brazilian remains central to his plans as Madrid look to steady the ship during a turbulent period.
Backing for Vinícius has also come from within the dressing room. Softfootball earlier reported that Kylian Mbappé publicly supported Vinícius Jr, calling for calm amid the criticism and defending his teammate after he was booed and targeted by fans questioning his performance level.
With Arbeloa now at the helm, Real Madrid appear determined to rally behind their key players as they look to restore stability and momentum after a bruising spell both on and off the pitch.
