Vinicius Junior boos normal at Real Madrid – Arbeloa

Vinicius Junior found himself at the center of attention following Real Madrid’s 2-1 home defeat to Bayern Munich, with the Brazilian reportedly booed by fans after a subdued performance.

Álvaro Arbeloa, speaking after the Champions League quarter-final first leg, defended the reaction, saying such responses are part of playing at the Bernabéu.

“Booing is part of what this crowd demands. I see it as something normal and understandable. Some may feel a negative atmosphere, but what we notice is the support of our fans. We can’t ask for more than that,” he explained.

Madrid suffered a rare home loss to Bayern, who secured their first win at the Bernabéu since 2001, leaving the Spanish side with a tough second-leg trip to Germany to stage a comeback.

Arbeloa emphasized that the pressure on players like Vinicius stems from the club’s lofty standards and world-class roster.

“You know what I think of Vinicius, and what he means to me as a coach and as a Real Madrid fan, as well as the performances he delivers. For me, it would be a privilege to play every match at the Bernabéu,” he said.

The former Real Madrid defender also highlighted how the crowd’s intensity can inspire the team, turning criticism into motivation.

“If the team puts in a good performance and creates chances, that’s thanks to the pressure the Bernabéu applies. I wish I had the fortune of playing in this stadium. All players feel the same,” Arbeloa added.

Looking ahead, Madrid must overturn the deficit in Munich to stay in the competition. If successful, a semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain looms after the French side’s 2-0 first-leg victory over Liverpool.