Real Madrid fans were treated to a vintage Vinicius Jr performance as Los Blancos breezed past Red Bull Salzburg with a 3-0 victory in the Club World Cup.

The Brazilian winger didn’t just put in a typical high-energy display—he delivered one of his finest outings in a Real Madrid shirt, scoring the opener and assisting Federico Valverde’s goal just before half-time.

But it wasn’t just flair and explosiveness on display—it was something more refined, more deliberate.

After the match, Vinicius Jr opened up about the changes happening behind the scenes under new management, offering insight into how Xabi Alonso is beginning to leave his mark on this Madrid side.

Speaking to reporters post-match, Vini revealed that the assist for Valverde wasn’t just instinct or improvisation—it was part of a growing tactical evolution under Alonso.

“My assist? It was fantastic, one of the best I’ve ever made. It’s a request from Xabi. He’s telling us little by little what we have to do.”
Also, Vinicius isn’t just hugging the touchline anymore—he’s operating in more central spaces, and he’s thriving.

Vini stated about his new role: “I’m playing inside a bit more, instead of on the wing. It’s better for me, when I’m closer to goal, I can score more and give more assists.”
For years, Carlo Ancelotti deployed Vinicius as a traditional left winger—where he certainly dazzled—but Alonso is now tweaking that formula. By moving him slightly infield, Alonso is giving Vini more direct access to goal and the opportunity to combine more frequently with Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, and Valverde.

Perhaps most telling is Vinicius Jr’s comment on how these positional tweaks are influencing the team’s overall structure.

He says: “The team is more compact. This way, it helps us be stronger and press better as a team.”