Strain between Xabi Alonso and Vinicius overshadows Real Madrid's El Clasico win

The pair's uneasy relationship dates back to the Club World Cup in July, when Alonso deployed Vinicius out of position. Since then, the Brazilian has been substituted in most matches he starts and left out of the lineup three times - decisions that his camp interprets as a lack of trust. Contract renewal talks, meanwhile, have stalled.

Sources close to the player told ESPN the relationship is "damaged, not broken," and that both men plan to meet this week to discuss the situation.

The tension spilled into public view on Sunday when Vinicius reacted furiously to being substituted in the 72nd minute. Cameras caught him repeatedly asking "Me?!" and shouting toward Alonso before storming down the tunnel, declaring, "Always me! I'm leaving the team!"

Alonso, visibly irritated, kept his focus on the game and later downplayed the incident, saying:

"We'll talk about it, but I prefer to focus on the positives - and there were many from Vini."

After his return to the bench, Vinicius was involved in a late-game confrontation with Barcelona's Lamine Yamal, whose pre-match comments mocking Madrid had already caused anger. Reserve goalkeeper Andriy Lunin was sent off for defending his teammate as tempers flared between both benches.

Post-match, Vinicius tried to calm the situation.

"El Clasico is like that - many things happen on and off the pitch," he said. "We didn't want to offend anyone." 

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