Vinicius Junior’s resurgence is offering Real Madrid a timely boost as they prepare to face Juventus in the Club World Cup last 16, with Kylian Mbappé poised to make his return to action.
The Brazilian forward had endured a noticeable dip in form during a trophyless season for Real Madrid, falling short of his previous Ballon d’Or contention level as Barcelona claimed the honours in what became Carlo Ancelotti’s final campaign at the helm. However, new manager Xabi Alonso has been encouraged by Vinicius’ recent display, which saw him score and provide a stunning backheel assist in a 3-0 win over Salzburg.
That result secured top spot in Group H for Los Blancos and allowed them to avoid a quarter-final meeting with Manchester City, currently considered the strongest side in the tournament.
“Vini, like all forwards, needed that goal,” said Alonso, clearly pleased with his winger’s renewed spark.
Vinicius is also locked in talks with the club over a potential contract extension, despite already being signed until 2027. “I hope I can stay here for many years. I’ve always said this is the club of my life,” he said earlier this week, adding praise for Alonso and his staff.
Madrid’s attacking options could be further bolstered with Mbappé returning from a bout of gastroenteritis that kept him out of all three group matches. The French star has resumed training and could feature, possibly from the bench, against Juventus in Orlando.
Although initial attempts to pair Vinicius and Mbappé were tactically awkward, with both tending to occupy similar areas of the pitch, Alonso believes the duo can co-exist effectively.
“They can work together—Vini playing wide, Kylian more centrally. It’s not either-or. With their individual brilliance, it’s all about the team clicking,” Alonso explained.
Mbappé still managed to hit 43 goals last season, while Vinicius ended with 22—respectable, but still below his peak form.
Alonso has made clear that every outfield player must contribute defensively, a principle he’s determined to enforce following last season’s lapses when Madrid fielded an ultra-attacking line-up featuring Vinicius, Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo Goes.
“No one is exempt from defending. All eleven players must be involved without the ball,” he stated.
Vinicius earned further praise for his off-the-ball contributions in the Salzburg match. “He defended well, made sacrifices, stayed switched on throughout the game—that’s crucial for me,” Alonso added.
As Mbappé gears up for a potential return, Real Madrid will face a stern test against Juventus, with the winner likely to play Borussia Dortmund or Monterrey in the next round—a chance for Alonso to show he can manage the club’s biggest stars in harmony.
