The tension of the last Clásico between Real Madrid and Barcelona, which ended with a 4-3 defeat for the whites, was not only felt on the field but also on the microphones. Álvaro Benito, a former Real Madrid player and current commentator for Cadena Ser, could not hold back any longer. His patience with Vinícius Júnior ran out.
a clásico with consequences
The defeat was not just another one; it almost definitively means goodbye to LaLiga for the whites. With the Copa del Rey already lost and out of the Champions League, the blow was very hard, and in the midst of the disaster, some players were singled out. One of them, Vinícius.
The Brazilian had a discreet match, slow in defense, not very participative in attack. His body language was disconcerting; at one point, he seemed to ask for a substitution. Then he continued playing, and no one really understood what was happening.
álvaro benito explodes live
During the broadcast of Carrusel Deportivo, Álvaro Benito was clear, direct, and annoyed. "But well... what Vinícius is doing is nameless, it's a shame, it's a shame," he blurted out without filters, after an action in which the Brazilian did not come back to defend.
He didn't stop there. When asked what Ancelotti would do, his response was blunt: "Take him off, take him off, take him off." A harsh but sincere message from someone who has worn that jersey.
criticism at the core: attitude and commitment
What outraged Benito the most was not a technical error; it was the attitude. The lack of effort. "You can't play soccer like Vinícius, defending with your eyes, saving yourself the returns, without marking, without pressing..." he lamented on air.
For him, the problem is deeper. Mentality, commitment, effort. Values that, according to his analysis, are failing in some Madrid players, and one of those who symbolizes that lack is, right now, Vinícius.
a warning for the future
Benito not only spoke about the present but also about the future and sent a message to Xabi Alonso, the possible next coach for the whites. "The coach who comes has a lot of work, changing the mentality of some players," he said forcefully.
It's not the first time Álvaro Benito has criticized Vinícius, but this time the tone was harsher. Perhaps because the situation demanded it, perhaps because, for many Madridists, a line has been crossed.
an open debate
Benito's words have sparked debate. Some believe he is right. That someone had to say it, while others think he went too far, that Vinícius is still one of the most decisive players on the team.
The truth is that the Brazilian is no longer untouchable. His gestures, his performance, and his attitude are under scrutiny. If he wants to lead Madrid in the future, he will have to do more than just dribbles and runs.