Vinicius Junior faces growing hostility from Real Madrid fans after summer uncertainty

Vinicius Junior was booed by sections of the Real Madrid support when he was substituted against Inter Milan in the club’s opening Champions League match, but Brazilian journalist Fernando Kallas says the reaction was about far more than one poor performance.

The incident, he believes, was the public eruption of a crisis that had been building throughout the summer, as uncertainty over the forward’s future and a late change in Real Madrid’s position placed further strain on his relationship with the fans.

Kallas, a Reuters correspondent, revealed details of the negotiations surrounding Vinicius’ proposed contract renewal until 2032 during an interview with Spanish radio station Cadena SER.

He said people close to the Brazil international believed he would leave Real Madrid until only 24 hours before the club made its final offer.

“Many things happened this summer, and those close to Vinicius saw him outside Real Madrid even 24 hours before the final offer. They thought he would join Arsenal because they had asked for an amount they never believed Real Madrid would pay,” Kallas said.

He added that the situation changed abruptly when Real Madrid made an unexpected proposal.

“Suddenly, at the last moment, Real Madrid made an offer that surprised everyone and changed everything. When you see yourself outside the club and then suddenly find yourself inside it, your way of thinking changes. It is not easy psychologically,” he said.

Kallas described the jeers heard at the Santiago Bernabeu during the Champions League match against Inter as harsh and unjustified. He argued that Real Madrid’s problems were collective rather than the responsibility of one player.

“The Inter match was not a match for booing Vinicius. Madrid played badly as a whole. It is true that he missed two chances, but he made three assists that paved the way for Brahim Diaz, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham to score,” he said.

The journalist also suggested that Vinicius had returned from the World Cup below his best physical level. The demands placed on him during the opening weeks of the season, he argued, had left him with little opportunity to recover.

“These matches are like a preparation period for him. While Barcelona manage Rodri’s minutes, Vinicius was a starter and played almost every minute,” Kallas said.

He believes the hostility between Vinicius and a significant section of the Real Madrid support has now gone beyond performances on the pitch.

“A large part of the Real Madrid fans have come to hate him, and it seems this is something that cannot be reversed. The relationship became tense because of problems that go far beyond football,” he said.

“Vinicius has to produce his best in every match or he will be met with boos. He has become the favourite enemy of the Bernabeu fans.”

Kallas also argued that the responsibility for repairing the relationship should not fall entirely on the player.

“He does not have to change things because he is not the one who created this situation. Perhaps the fans must also play their part. It is not in Real Madrid’s best interests for their supporters to boo their own players in only the fourth match of the season,” he added.

For Kallas, the first major test of Vinicius’ response will come in the Madrid derby against Atletico de Madrid on 20 September.

The developments surrounding Vinicius and Real Madrid have also prompted wider discussion among supporters, with fans able to debate the issues and latest news in Kooora forums.