Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso backs Vinicius Junior after winger booed again as hat-trick hero Gonzalo Garcia enjoys 'dream match'
By Will Conroy
Published 04/01/2026 at 22:55 GMT
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Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has given Vinicius Junior his backing after the winger was booed by his own fans once again. The winger was jeered as he made way during the 5-1 win over Real Betis at the Bernabeu, but Alonso insisted "he will be a key player" for the club. The thumping win was largely thanks to Gonzalo Garcia's hat-trick, and Alonso spoke of his delight for the academy graduate.
Mbappe nets FOURTH goal after Vinicius Jr magic
Video credit: TNT Sports
Xabi Alonso insisted Vinicius Junior "will be a key player at Real Madrid" after supporters jeered him once again during their victory over Real Betis.
Madrid closed the gap on Barcelona at the top of La Liga with a 5-1 win at the Bernabeu on Sunday as Gonzalo Garcia bagged a hat-trick.
But the positive result did not stop some of the home support booing Vinicius when he was replaced in the 77th minute.
It was a familiar reception for the Brazilian, having faced similar animosity in recent weeks, including in Madrid’s 2-0 win over Sevilla before the winter break.
Asked about the attention given to the winger in Sunday’s game, Alonso said: "Vinicius is a mature player as we are mature too, and we have always to deliver.
"We are together in this path supporting each other, and we want always to show our best version as a team.
"Vinicius is, was, and he will be a key player at Real Madrid.
"Now we travel to Saudi Arabia, and then once we come back to the Bernabeu, I am sure the fans are going to support him. I don’t have any doubts about it."
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'The matter was closed' - Alonso says Vinicius will face 'no punishment'
Video credit: SNTV
There are a number of factors potentially contributing to the negative feelings towards Vinicius at the moment.
There have been widespread reports of tension between Vinicius and Alonso, and that came to a head when the winger was substituted in El Clasico in October and was seen saying: "It’s better if I leave, I’m leaving."
Meanwhile, there was already uncertainty over his future at the club amid stalling negotiations over a contract extension, and following the incident during El Clasico, he reportedly told club president Florentino Perez he did not want to renew while his relationship with Alonso remained strained.
But the Brazilian is particularly important to Alonso at the moment, with leading scorer Kylian Mbappe out with a knee injury and Madrid unsure of his return date.
However, on Sunday, the void left by the Frenchman was filled by Garcia, who scored his first La Liga goals and his first of the season with a brilliant hat-trick.
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Alonso pays tribute to hat-trick hero Garcia after 'dream match'
Video credit: SNTV
The 21-year-old gave the hosts a 2-0 lead thanks to a header after 20 minutes and a superb volley shortly after the interval.
Goals from Raul Asencio and Cucho Hernandez made the scoreline 3-1, before academy graduate Garcia sealed his treble with a sublime back-heeled finish, while Fran Garcia added a fifth for Madrid late on.
"Obviously, it was a dream match for Gonzalo," Alonso said. "Playing at the Bernabeu, during your first season with the first team, and to score a hat-trick.
"He was very eager to score at the stadium, and I am very happy for him because all the work he put in on a daily basis, no matter if he plays or not, his attitude is amazing.
"He is a great sample of what it represents to come from the youth team of Real Madrid.
"He is a player that deserved to have an opportunity, and I want to congratulate him for his match, his hat-trick, and I hope he continues this way."
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The victory saw Madrid reduce their deficit to Barcelona back to four points, while they are seven points clear of Villarreal and Atletico Madrid in third and fourth.
Alonso's men now travel to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup, where they will face Atletico in the semi-finals.
Following a potential final against either Barcelona or Athletic Club, they will return to La Liga action with the visit of Levante.
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