Inside Real Madrid: 'Sadness but no surprise' after Vinicius Jr ‘die’ chants

Pamplona, Spain – Real Madrid’s 2-1 defeat at El Sadar on Saturday was overshadowed by fresh abuse directed at Vinicius Jr, who was targeted by Osasuna supporters chanting “Vinicius, muerete” (“Vinicius, die”) during the La Liga contest.

La Liga has opened an investigation into the incident, footage of which circulated widely after the final whistle. Osasuna have been contacted for comment but have yet to respond. Sources close to the Brazilian winger told The Athletic the latest episode left them “saddened, but not surprised.”

The 25-year-old, playing his first match since UEFA began investigating alleged racist abuse during Madrid’s Champions League knockout-phase first leg at Benfica last Tuesday, responded on the pitch by drilling a 73rd-minute equaliser that briefly revived hopes of extending the club’s nine-game league winning streak. Those hopes evaporated in the 90th minute when veteran forward Raul Garcia struck the winner for Osasuna, leaving Madrid a point behind Barcelona with 13 fixtures remaining.

According to La Liga, Vinicius Jr has been subjected to 26 verified incidents of racist abuse at 10 different Spanish stadiums since October 2021.

Refereeing decisions also dominated post-match discourse inside the Madrid camp. Coaching staff privately questioned Alejandro Quintero Gonzalez’s handling of both Osasuna goals: Ante Budimir’s 38th-minute penalty, awarded after an on-field review overturned an initial dive call, and Garcia’s last-gasp strike, which survived a VAR offside check after play had restarted. Yet manager Alvaro Arbeloa aimed his public criticism at his own squad.

“We have to move the ball faster and match our opponent’s intensity,” Arbeloa said. “We focus so heavily on the left that we become predictable.”

The loss ended Madrid’s unbeaten league run dating back to a December 7 home defeat to Celta Vigo under previous coach Xabi Alonso. Since Arbeloa took the reins on January 12, the side have won seven of 10 league matches but have now suffered three defeats in that span.

Team selection raised eyebrows inside El Sadar. Antonio Rudiger and Trent Alexander-Arnold were dropped in favour of David Alaba and Dani Carvajal, the latter pair making their first joint start since December 2023 after lengthy anterior-cruciate-ligament recoveries. Carvajal lasted 64 minutes before yielding to Alexander-Arnold, while Alaba completed the full 90. Osasuna sources admitted they had not anticipated facing the veteran duo.

Attention now shifts to Wednesday’s Champions League return leg against Benfica, and some dressing-room voices believe minds were already in Lisbon on Saturday. Others questioned Arbeloa’s reluctance to withdraw so-called “untouchables” such as Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe when defensive discipline waned. Mbappe, nursing a sore left knee, spurned a clear second-half chance and has now gone a rare match without scoring.

Franco Mastantuono, 18, remained an unused substitute for the third consecutive game despite specialised training designed to add muscle mass following a pubalgia lay-off. Club insiders say the Argentine prospect has gained four-to-five kilograms and is pain-free in sessions.

Injuries continue to test squad depth. Centre-back Dean Huijsen will undergo scans on Monday for a right-calf complaint, while teenage defenders Joan Martinez (back muscle) and Victor Valdepenas (knee sprain) are out for at least a month and three weeks respectively. Midfielder Dani Ceballos limped off with a right-leg knock and could miss four weeks, though some club sources fear up to two months. Rodrygo has resumed partial training after tendonitis in his right calf and is expected to be available for Monday, March 2, against Getafe.

Real Madrid departed Pamplona with renewed scrutiny on and off the field: a title race tightening, a Champions League tie in the balance, and their star winger once again at the centre of Spain’s enduring struggle with racism.