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Vinicius Jr. facing make-or-break season at Real Madrid under Xabi Alonso

It's not quite gone according to plan for Vinicius Jr. at Real Madrid ever since he missed out on the Ballon d'Or and he's now got a big season ahead of him

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Insatiable Mbappe & mischievous Vini help Real edge feisty Getafe

Kylian Mbappe found the back of the net again and super-sub Vinicius Junior baited two red cards as Real Madrid beat Getafe 1-0 on Sunday night. Los Blancos were dragged into a rather ugly contest, but the Frenchman's second-half goal saw them get the job done and go two points clear of arch-rivals Barcelona at the La Liga summit ahead of next week's Clasico.

How Carlo can get the best from Brazil's star-studded attack

Brazil endured their worst qualification campaign ever for the 2026 World Cup, finishing fifth in the CONMEBOL standings on just 28 points from 18 matches. The Selecao lost home and away to arch-rivals Argentina, with a 4-1 drubbing at the Estadio Monumental ultimately costing Dorival Junior his job as manager, and they were also handily beaten by Uruguay, Colombia, Paraguay and Bolivia. But hope for the 2026 finals remains high, with Carlo Ancelotti now holding the reins for the most successful national team in history.

GFX Xabi Alonso Vinicius Junior Kylian Mbappe

Alonso 'on the ropes' as Vini Jr puts up record numbers

Vinicius Junior's role at Real Madrid has taken a surprising downturn under Xabi Alonso, but the Brazilian forward has responded in spectacular fashion. Despite starting fewer games and spending more time on the bench than ever before, he's producing record-breaking numbers by his own standards - proving his worth even as pressure mounts on Alonso amid questions about team balance and results.

Madrid earmark Haaland as Vini Jr replacement

Real Madrid have earmarked Erling Haaland as Vincius Junior's replacement as the Spanish giants make the Manchester City star a priority target if the Brazilian leaves the club and moves to Saudi Arabia. Vinicius Jr has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League for almost two years now. The winger has yet to agree to sign a new Los Blancos contract, with only two years left in his existing deal.

Europe winners losers Rasmus Hojlund Barcelona GFX 16:9

Hojlund, Barcelona and Europe's biggest winners & losers

Are Bayern Munich the strongest side in Europe right now? They're certainly not far off it. The Germans maintained their flawless start to the 2025-26 season with a 3-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt at the weekend. Unsurprisingly, Harry Kane was among the goals again, as the free-scoring striker maintained his record-breaking start to the campaign.

Vinicius at the double and Mbappe on target in Madrid win

Vinicius Jr scored twice and Kylian Mbappe was on target yet again as Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid saw off Villarreal to avoid consecutive league defeats and secure a convincing 3-1 win over the 10 men at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday evening. The visitors were reduced 10 men in the second half when Santiago Mourino was sent off, while Mbappe was forced off late on through injury.

'Decisive in every game' - Xabi hails Mbappe as Vini & Guler 'catch up'

Kylian Mbappe scored a stunning hat-trick as Real Madrid cruised to a 5-0 Champions League win over Kairat Almaty, bouncing back from their derby defeat to Atletico. Xabi Alonso hailed the Frenchman as “decisive in every game” while stressing that Vinicius Jr. and Arda Guler are still “catching up” to his rare pace as Madrid’s new front line begins to click at European level.

How Mbappe went from a problem to indispensable at Madrid

Kylian Mbappe was hiding in the background while Xabi Alonso soliloquised. It was just after the opening game of the Champions League group phase. Mbappe had pieced together a remarkable Blancos rescue act, scoring twice to overturn a 1-0 deficit (and he might have had one or two more.) Alonso was singing his praises. He hailed Mbappe's "incredible impact", and promised that they were "just getting started.” And then, as he realised Mbappe was in the room - just out of the shot - he tailed off.

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Vinicius: Modric teachings behind 'one of my best goals ever'

Vinicius Junior has revealed that teachings from former Real Madrid team-mate Luka Modric led to him scoring "one of his best goals ever" against Levante. The Brazilian winger opened the scoring for Los Blancos with a brilliant trivela shot before Franco Mastantuono doubled the lead in the first half. Kylian Mbappe then scored a brace to seal a thumping 4-1 win for the Spanish giants.

Mbappe double & Vini trivela keep Madrid on perfect start

The Real Madrid attack hummed on Tuesday evening, as Kylian Mbappe bagged a brace and Vinicius Jr also scored to lift Los Blancos to a comfortable 4-1 win over Levante. Xabi Alonso's men have now won six out of six in the Spanish top flight.

Real to boycott Ballon d'Or ceremony again after Vini Jr snub

La Liga giants Real Madrid are expected to boycott the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris on Monday for the second year in a row. Los Blancos famously failed to attend in 2024 after learning that star man Vinicius Jr had been pipped to the prestigious Golden Ball by Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri. Tensions between Real Madrid and UEFA still linger in the wake of the snub as the club feel they have been unfairly treated.

Real star Vinicius Jr warned his 'attitude is not healthy'

Vinicius Junior has been warned that his attitude is “not healthy”, with the Real Madrid superstar reacting angrily to being substituted during the Blancos’ 2-0 win over Espanyol. The Brazil international was replaced in the 77th minute of that contest and did not take kindly to seeing his number held up. Jorge Valdano has discussed another show of petulance.

Ballon d'Or Power Rankings: Who will claim the Golden Ball?

If you thought the days of the Ballon d'Or generating headlines were over after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's era of dominance came to an end, then think again. After one of the most closely-fought races for a number of years, Rodri came out on top in 2024, beating Vinicius Jr into second place as Real Madrid dramatically boycotted the ceremony in Paris in protest at their star player missing out.

Mbappe shines once again as Madrid stay perfect in La Liga

Real Madrid made light work of Espanyol as they claimed a 2-0 win to maintain their perfect start to the Liga season. Eder Militao got things started as he hammered home an absolute piledriver from 30 yards out before Kylian Mbappe made it two soon after the half-time break, firing home a snapshot that caught out Marko Dmitrovic in the visitors' goal.

Frequently asked questions

: Lionel Messi is a versatile attacker who has featured both through the middle and in a free role from the right, allowing him to cut inside on to his stronger left foot.
: Lionel Messi was born in Rosario, Santa Fe, in Argentina on June 24, 1987.
: The Argentine maestro wears the number he has been known to don for the majority of his career, the No. 10, at MLS outfit Inter Miami.
: Lionel Messi is often among the shortest players on a football pitch, standing at just 1.70m (5ft 7in). However, it is due to his low center of gravity which has made him one of the most fearsome forces to be reckoned with in football history.
: Lionel Messi weighs 67kg (148 lbs), his low weight aiding him in gaining high bursts of acceleration and gliding past defenders as if they were never there.
: Lionel Messi began his journey in football with local club Grandoli at the age of four, in 1992, before joining the team he loved the most, Newell's Old Boys, at the age of six. He stayed with the Argentine club until 2000, when he made the switch to Barcelona.
: Lionel Messi and his wife Antonella Roccuzzo have three sons: Mateo, Thiago, and Ciro.
: Lionel Messi is married to Argentine model and media personality Antonella Roccuzzo. The couple exchanged vows back in 2017.

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