Real Madrid’s Dressing Room Tension: Veterans Furious at Vinícius for Defensive Neglect

Real Madrid’s hard-fought 3-2 victory over Leganés in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals should have been a moment of celebration. Instead, a heated on-field exchange between Luka Modrić and Vinícius Júnior stole the headlines, exposing growing frustration within the squad over the Brazilian’s lack of defensive commitment.

According to Relevo, tensions surrounding Vinícius’ reluctance to track back have been simmering since the beginning of the season. Dani Carvajal and Modrić—two of the team’s most respected leaders—have both confronted him directly, questioning his attitude when Madrid are out of possession.

During the Leganés clash, Modrić’s patience finally snapped. After repeatedly instructing Vinícius to help out defensively, the Croatian legend exploded in frustration, yelling, "You bastard!" at his teammate. Federico Valverde backed Modrić in the dispute, and even Carlo Ancelotti sided with his veteran midfielder, acknowledging after the match that the team’s defensive discipline must be collective.

However, this was far from the first time that Vinícius’ defensive negligence has caused friction in the dressing room. Reports indicate that frustration has been brewing for months, dating back to Madrid’s 0-1 Champions League defeat to Lille in October, when Carvajal openly lashed out in the locker room.

"If some players refuse to defend, we can forget about winning trophies!" Carvajal fumed. "Most of us are running our hearts out, while others are just walking." His words, translated from the Spanish "el resto se mata a correr mientras otros caminan," were clearly aimed at Vinícius.

Even Ancelotti, known for his calm demeanor, expressed rare anger at the Brazilian’s attitude. The Italian coach has consistently emphasized the importance of team-wide defensive commitment, particularly from attacking players like Vinícius and Kylian Mbappé.

As Real Madrid prepare for a massive showdown against Atlético Madrid this weekend, the entire squad understands one thing clearly: without collective defensive discipline, winning will be nearly impossible.

The Origins of the Conflict: A Season-Long Frustration

For all of Vinícius’ attacking brilliance, his defensive work rate has been a long-standing concern for his teammates and coaches. Madrid’s dressing room has come to accept that elite forwards aren’t always the most active defenders, but there’s a fundamental expectation—everyone contributes, especially in tough moments.

Relevo’s report suggests that the dressing room’s discontent has existed from the start of the season, but the situation has escalated in recent months due to Madrid’s demanding fixture list and key injuries. With the squad stretched thin, players have been forced to work even harder off the ball, making Vinícius’ lack of defensive effort even more glaring.

His refusal to track back was already a concern in October, but the Champions League defeat to Lille served as a turning point. Madrid suffered their first loss of the season, and Carvajal, one of the most respected voices in the squad, let loose his frustration in the locker room. His remarks—delivered in Spanish but unmistakably directed at Vinícius—made it clear that the team would not tolerate passengers.

In response, Ancelotti tried to handle the matter internally, urging Vinícius to adapt his game and show more responsibility. However, as the months have passed, little has changed.

By the time Madrid faced Leganés in the Copa del Rey, tensions were at a boiling point.

The Incident: Modrić’s Fury on the Pitch

The match against Leganés was far from easy. Despite taking an early lead, Madrid found themselves in a tense battle and needed a dramatic late goal to secure a 3-2 victory.

Throughout the game, Modrić, one of the team’s most respected figures, repeatedly instructed Vinícius to drop back and help defend. The Brazilian, however, ignored him or responded with indifference.

That was the final straw. Modrić—who has spent over a decade at Real Madrid, winning everything there is to win—lost his composure, turning to Vinícius and yelling, "You bastard!"

The heated exchange didn’t go unnoticed. Federico Valverde—another key figure in Madrid’s midfield—stood by Modrić, backing the Croatian’s frustration. Even Carlo Ancelotti, usually one to downplay internal disputes, took Modrić’s side, signaling his concern about Vinícius’ defensive attitude.

For Madridistas, this moment was alarming. Internal disagreements are common in elite football, but public outbursts like this suggest that the issue has reached a breaking point.

Mbappé vs. Vinícius: Why the Frenchman Gets More Leeway

Interestingly, Relevo’s analysis highlights a key distinction between Vinícius and Kylian Mbappé, Madrid’s other superstar forward who is also not known for defensive contributions.

However, there’s a fundamental difference:

• Mbappé plays as a center-forward, meaning his role in attack requires him to constantly make runs, hold up play, and create space. His off-the-ball movement and physical duels demand high energy, so his limited defensive involvement is somewhat justified.
• Vinícius, on the other hand, is a left winger. Players in his position are expected to track back and assist their fullbacks, much like Rodrygo does on the right wing.

Essentially, while Mbappé’s workload in attack excuses his defensive shortcomings, Vinícius has no such justification.

Madrid’s veterans aren’t demanding that Vinícius become a defensive workhorse, but they expect him to match Rodrygo’s effort levels and at least show willingness to support his teammates.

Madrid’s Internal Approach: Keeping the Peace

Despite the frustration, Madrid’s dressing room isn’t looking to escalate the conflict further. The squad still relies heavily on Vinícius’ attacking influence, and there is a mutual understanding that his offensive contributions are invaluable.

However, as Madrid enter the decisive phase of the season, with massive games in La Liga, the Champions League, and domestic cups, defensive discipline will be non-negotiable.

The message from Carvajal, Modrić, and Ancelotti is clear:

• No one is exempt from defensive duties.
• Winning as a team requires collective sacrifice.
• If Madrid want to compete at the highest level, every player—no matter how talented—must contribute off the ball.

With the Madrid Derby against Atlético looming, Vinícius has one more chance to prove he’s willing to adapt.

If not, the tension within the squad may only continue to rise.