‘That’s why Alonso lost his job’ — Liverpool legend pinpoints Real Madrid’s biggest problem

Real Madrid’s latest period of turmoil has sparked fierce debate, and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has pointed the finger squarely at Vinicius Junior.

In a blistering assessment, Carragher argued that issues inside the dressing room, not tactics, ultimately cost Xabi Alonso his job.

Carragher did not hold back when discussing Vinicius Junior’s influence at the Bernabéu, describing the Brazilian winger as Real Madrid’s “biggest problem” and one of the main reasons Alonso was dismissed.

According to the former defender, Vinicius’ behaviour epitomises a wider culture issue at the club, where individual power often outweighs collective discipline.

He referenced a high-profile win over Barcelona in which Alonso substituted Vinicius late on in a bid to protect the result. Rather than accepting the decision, Vinicius reacted angrily, gesticulating on the pitch and later suggesting he would not sign a new contract while Alonso remained in charge.

Although the winger later released an apology, Carragher noted that it was only directed at fans and teammates, not the coach himself. For Carragher, that moment showed how authority has shifted away from the bench and into the hands of star players.

Beyond Vinicius, Carragher also laid blame at the feet of club president Florentino Perez, accusing him of creating an environment where coaches are disposable and players hold the real power.

He argued that Perez’s fear of losing elite talent, particularly someone of Vinicius’ stature, directly influenced the decision to sack Alonso.

Carragher stressed that this pattern is nothing new at Real Madrid, where managers are often sacrificed to keep dressing-room harmony and protect long-term contracts.

In his view, Alonso became collateral damage in a system that prioritises star players over stability. Until that balance changes, Carragher believes Madrid will continue to cycle through coaches, regardless of results on the pitch.