In their first match back on the pitch since a devastating UEFA Champions League elimination at the hands of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid secured a victory over Alaves. However, the prevailing mood at the Santiago Bernabeu was anything but celebratory. Nothing encapsulated the frustration of the current campaign better than Vinicius Junior’s somber reaction after scoring a spectacular goal.
Rather than breaking out into his customary joyous celebration, the Brazilian superstar chose to send a heartfelt message of regret to the loyal Madridistas.
A Stunning Goal Followed by a Somber Gesture
The match began positively for Los Blancos. Star forward Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring in the 30th minute, converting a slick assist from Arda Guler to give the hosts the lead. Just five minutes into the second half, Vinicius Junior doubled the advantage.
Receiving the ball just outside the penalty area, the Brazilian unleashed a pinpoint right-footed strike that left Alaves goalkeeper Antonio Sivera completely stranded. It was a goal of the highest quality—but the aftermath is what stole the headlines.
Instead of celebrating, Vinicius stood still on the pitch, raising his hands toward the Santiago Bernabeu stands in a clear, unmistakable gesture of apology. He then raised his palm again, signaling his personal remorse to the supporters.
The Weight of a Disappointing Season
Vinicius’s subdued reaction was a poignant acknowledgment of the club’s recent catastrophic week. The crushing defeat in Germany not only knocked Real Madrid out of the Champions League but also effectively ended their hopes for meaningful silverware in the 2025-26 campaign.
The Champions League exit was the final blow in what has been a deeply frustrating domestic and European season. Earlier in the year, Real Madrid suffered a Spanish Super Cup final defeat against fierce rivals Barcelona, and they endured a humiliating Copa del Rey Round of 16 exit against second-division side Albacete.
A Trophyless Campaign Looms for Alvaro Arbeloa’s Men
With their cup dreams dashed, all that remains for Real Madrid is La Liga, though a title victory is highly unlikely. Despite the win against Alaves, Alvaro Arbeloa’s squad currently sits in second place, trailing league leaders Barcelona by six points. With Barca holding a game in hand and only 15 points left to play for, the title race is practically slipping out of Madrid’s grasp.
This reality leaves Real Madrid staring down a painfully bleak scenario: finishing the season without lifting a single trophy. The last time the club endured a completely trophyless campaign was in 2020-21, a failure that prompted the departure of Zinedine Zidane and the subsequent return of Carlo Ancelotti.
Furthermore, taking into account the 2024-25 season—where Madrid’s only silverware came from single-match events like the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup—the Spanish giants are now on the verge of going two consecutive years without a major, season-long title. For a player as fiercely competitive as Vinicius Junior, the apology to the fans was an acknowledgment that the standards at Real Madrid simply demand more.
