Real Madrid forward was booed by fans but has the full backing of the manager
Alvaro Arbeloa defended Vinicius Junior after the forward was jeered by a group of Real Madrid supporters during Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Deportivo Alaves.
Madrid responded to recent criticism following their Champions League exit with a victory at the Santiago Bernabeu. Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring with a deflected effort before Vinicius doubled the lead with a long-range strike in the second half. Toni Martinez pulled one back for the visitors in added time.
Despite the result, the home crowd expressed frustration during the match, directing whistles at both Mbappe and Vinicius. Substitute Eduardo Camavinga, who had been sent off in the recent defeat to Bayern Munich, also faced criticism.
“Vinicius has always made a big effort in difficult situations,” Arbeloa said after the match. “He’s carried the team on his back. We can’t doubt his attitude. He doesn’t hide, he’s brave. He’s a Madrid fan, he feels the shirt and the badge.
“The crowd is demanding, they want the best from their players. Vini today turned the whistles into applause, he’s done it before, and that’s what’s important.”
Arbeloa also backed Camavinga, insisting the midfielder retains the trust of both the coaching staff and the club despite recent criticism of his performances.
“He has a lot of personality and a lot of experience despite his youth,” Arbeloa said. “He’s like Vini, they arrived very young at Real Madrid, they’ve done a lot and won important trophies. He has the confidence of his coach and the club, and I’m sure of the fans too.”
The win moves Madrid to within six points of league leaders Barcelona ahead of the latter’s match against Celta Vigo. There is also an important clásico to be played on 10 May at Camp Nou where Madrid will have the chance to shorten the gap by three points, but they would still need Barcelona to slip up against other opponents.
