Vinicius takes shot at Ancelotti as he mentions difference with Xabi Alonso

Real Madrid have won Group H to book a place in the Club World Cup’s Round of 16 thanks to a dominant 3-0 victory against Salzburg, with Vinicius opening the scoring. 

The clash against the Austrians was Real Madrid's most comfortable showing in the group stage, after they drew against Al Hilal and muscled past Pachuca.

Real Madrid are one of the few teams with a new coach for the Club World Cup, after Carlo Ancelotti left to join the Brazil national team following the end of the league campaign. 

Xabi Alonso has the job now, and his more hands-on method has been praised by the Madrid press as a shift from Ancelotti's more laissez-faire approach. 

After the game against Salzburg, Vinicius confirmed some of the differences. “Pressing the defenders is key; Xabi Alonso is telling us what to do day by day,” he told reporters. “It’s been two very good weeks. The team is playing more compact.”

After a brilliant 2023/24 season in which he was one of the contenders for the Ballon d'Or, Vinicius had an underwhelming 2024/25 campaign, a season in which he was also negotiating a contract renewal with the club, which led to speculations that he could leave. 

The former Flamengo star dismissed the notion in latest press appearance, stressing that he wanted to remain a Los Blancos for many more years. 

“Real Madrid is the club of my life! I hope to continue here for many and many years,” he told reporters. 

“I love Real Madrid. I owe everything to this club. Pressure and criticism are not a problem. I’m so happy with this club, the new coach Xabi and these players.”

Vinicius has a contract until 2027, but Real Madrid do not want to risk him having a few years left in his deal and have hence begun negotiations for a renewal.