The Club World Cup exit has left Real Madrid with more questions than answers, and one of the biggest is the uneasy coexistence of Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Jr. After being dismantled 4-0 by PSG, it wasn’t just the scoreline that raised alarm bells. As OKDiario points out, the most concerning issue was once again laid bare: Mbappé and Vinicius simply don’t click. No chemistry. No coordination. No synergy.

“If we keep making the same mistake over and over, we’re not being smart,” said Xabi Alonso after the crushing defeat. He didn’t name anyone directly, but the implication was clear. The ongoing struggle between Real Madrid’s two attacking stars to coexist on the pitch remains unresolved and increasingly costly.

The reality is harsh: they don’t look for each other, they don’t complement each other, and they don’t put in the work off the ball. In a game where collective sacrifice is key, having two high-profile players lacking defensive commitment and cohesion is a burden Madrid may no longer afford.

Xabi Alonso was well aware of the dilemma. According to OKDiario, the starting XI against PSG wasn’t finalized until the last moment. Gonzalo was a guaranteed pick based on merit, but doubts lingered over Vinicius. In fact, had Trent Alexander-Arnold not suffered an injury in training, the plan was reportedly to start with a three-man defense and leave Vinicius on the bench.

Ultimately, Vinicius did start but was deployed on the right wing, a position he has never been comfortable in. OKDiario claims the Brazilian was visibly unhappy with the decision, and it showed on the pitch. Once an undisputed starter at Real Madrid, Vinicius is now facing a stark reality: the competition is fierce, and his recent form isn’t enough to guarantee minutes.

Xabi Alonso, focused on performance and results, is not in a position to hand out playing time based on reputation.

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