When Respect Gets Substituted: Ancelotti’s Quiet Take on Vinícius Jr. and Alonso
20 February 2026
What Ancelotti Said About Vinícius and Alonso
Carlo Ancelotti, the veteran Italian coach with a storied Real Madrid past and current Brazil national team boss, shared details of a private talk with Vinícius Júnior about his objection to Xabi Alonso’s substitution during a recent match. He explained that he spoke with Vinícius, noting that coaches can be wrong, but players must respect teammates and the substitutes who may come on.
He added, "A player cannot act that way, because he must respect the coach."
Real Madrid announced the parting of ways with Alonso on January 12 due to poor results after seven months in charge, with Álvaro Arbeloa taking over in the dugout.
The club remains atop La Liga with 60 points, two ahead of second-placed Barcelona, as the title chase heats up.
Context and Standings
This episode sheds light on Real Madrid’s internal dynamics and the ongoing demand for discipline and leadership at the Bernabéu. The season’s rhythm continues to hinge on performances in La Liga and the balance of managing squad harmony with competitive results.
