The club has started well under new manager Xabi Alonso, currently leading the LaLiga standings by a single point over rivals Barcelona, and winning three of their four Champions League matches. ..Continue Reading
However, reports suggest some players are dissatisfied with their limited involvement under the former midfield great.
According to GMS, this has led to Vinicius Jr informing Florentino Perez that he doesn’t want to extend his contract under the current circumstances.
Spanish media claim he’s not alone, with six other players also reportedly unhappy.
Vinicius Jr
As previously noted, Vini Jr is frustrated with how he’s being deployed, fueling speculation about his future. He’s only completed 90 minutes five times this season, which is said to be his main issue.
His anger boiled over during El Clasico when he was subbed off, leading to an apology in the dressing room and publicly—though he notably excluded the manager from his remarks.
While Alonso has said the matter is resolved, tensions may still linger.
Rodrygo
Rodrygo’s situation became a concern over the summer when Alonso left him out of the Club World Cup, favoring Arda Guler and Franco Mastantuono.
Despite interest from Liverpool and Arsenal, he stayed—only to find himself with limited minutes. He’s started just three La Liga games and one in the Champions League, with no goals and one assist. With the World Cup approaching, his lack of playing time is a growing concern.
Jude Bellingham
The England international continues to deliver key moments, including a recent equalizer against Elche. But after missing the season’s start due to injury, his relationship with Alonso is reportedly not strong.
While his future isn’t in doubt, he’s said to prefer the more attacking role he had under Carlo Ancelotti, which could become a talking point soon.
Brahim Diaz
Diaz has struggled to make an impact this season, starting only four matches across all competitions and logging just 427 minutes.
He’s behind Guler, Mastantuono, Vini Jr, and Bellingham in the pecking order. Despite scoring once and assisting twice, he feels underused, which has strained his rapport with the coach.
Endrick
Endrick’s lack of playing time has surprised few. After recovering from an early-season injury, he’s found opportunities scarce, especially with Gonzalo Garcia impressing in the Club World Cup.
He’s played just 11 minutes under Alonso, and a loan move to Lyon in January is expected. His dream of becoming a star in Madrid hasn’t materialized, leaving him disheartened.
Federico Valverde
Once a midfield mainstay known for his work rate and defensive grit, Valverde has struggled to adapt to Alonso’s preference for technical control.
He’s often subbed off early or deployed at right-back, a role he’s reportedly reluctant to accept. Though he denied refusing to play defensively, it’s evident there’s a stylistic mismatch.
Mendy
Previously the first-choice left-back, Mendy has fallen behind Alvaro Carreras and Fran Garcia and hasn’t featured at all this season.
After making 25 appearances last term, this drop in status has been unexpected. Given his lack of involvement, a departure from Madrid seems likely.
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