Alonso slams Simeone for crossing the line as Mbappé’s Clasico stance comes into focus
8 January 2026
Alonso condemns Simeone for crossing the line
Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid's coach, publicly criticized Diego Simeone after a heated moment with Vinícius Júnior during the Spanish Super Cup semifinal in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The incident added drama to a Madrid derby.
After the match, he said he did not like Simeone's stance, claiming the Argentine allegedly said something to Vinícius that violated fair play. Alonso stressed that talking to opponents that way has no place in football.
Alonso added that he spoke with Vinícius after the whistle, stressing that respect for opponent and conduct are fundamentals of football. He said the matter would stay private, but the incident showed how lines blur in rivalry.
Spanish media reported that Simeone told Vinícius that Perez would sack you from Real Madrid, amid rumors about the Brazilian's ongoing contract talks with the club. Whether the remark was a tactic or provocation, it sparked a debate about respect.
Madrid's coach praised his team's resilience, sealing a 2-1 win and a place in the final against Barcelona. He credited lessons from a league defeat and the collective effort that carried them forward.
Mbappé set to travel to Jeddah for the final
Alonso also confirmed Mbappé would travel to Jeddah for the final. The French star had trained in Spain, and his involvement would be assessed like the rest of the squad.
Madrid beat Atletico 2-1 to reach the final against Barcelona, a match to be shown on the Eight app, the Roshen Saudi League's exclusive broadcaster.
