Alonso claims Vinicius is over Marseille snub
Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso insists there is no bad blood between himself and Vinicius Junior after leaving the Brazilian out of his starting line-up for the second time this season.
Madrid hosts Espanyol on Sunday (AEST), with Los Blancos looking to maintain their perfect start to the campaign after setting the early pace in LaLiga.
Alonso's side got its UEFA Champions League campaign up and running with three points in midweek, with two Kylian Mbappe penalties ensuring it recovered from 1-0 down to beat Marseille 2-1.
Vinicius was left on the bench until the 63rd minute of that game, before replacing fellow Brazil international Rodrygo with the score still level at 1-1.
Last year's Ballon d'Or runner-up was reportedly unhappy about being benched, having also been limited to the role of substitute in a 3-0 win at Real Oviedo last month.
But Alonso has revealed he believes that Vinicius has a major role to play in Madrid's success season.
"We have only played five games; this is a marathon. We have to give time to everyone," Alonso said.
"Yesterday I did not have time to talk to him, but today I saw him looking positive and with more of a smile.
"I have spoken with him, we have done some individual exercises. Tomorrow, we'll see.
"There are many important leaders in this squad. Vinicius is one of them, with Jude [Bellingham], Federico [Valverde], Aurelien [Tchouameni], Dean [Huijsen], Arda [Guler].
"I value everyone very much and I want everyone in the team to feel important. Everyone is in this boat, and we need everyone to row in the same direction."
Mbappe's midweek brace took him to seven goals in all competitions this season, with only Harry Kane (13), Erling Haaland and Serhou Guirassy (both nine) netting more among players from Europe's top five leagues.
But Alonso also accepts there will be games where Mbappe must be rested.
"We have a lot of games and I'm sure that there will be a game where he will not be a starter. He will have to accept it naturally," Alonso said.
"Kylian is very important but there will be days that he may not play from the start. We've played only five games, we have to wait to draw conclusions."
Espanyol should provide Madrid with a test this week, with Manolo Gonzalez's side taking 10 points from its first four games to sit level with Barcelona, two points adrift of Los Blancos.
