
Del Bosque's advice to Xabi Alonso so Mbappé and Vinícius can play together
The former national team coach and former Real Madrid coach believes that this type of player should be given freedom
Vicente del Bosque has broken his usual discretion to offer advice to Xabi Alonso. He did so on El Larguero, during an interview where he also recalled the historic conquest of the 2010 World Cup.
This time, his message was clear and direct. The topic: how Mbappé and Vinicius fit into the new Real Madrid.
"You have to accept players just as they are. Otherwise, they wouldn't be Vinicius or Mbappé," Del Bosque said when asked by Antonio Romero about the lack of connection between the two white stars.

Accept without giving up the group
The former coach understands that both strikers have a special way of playing and that this essence can't be erased, but he also made it clear that the team is above everything else: "That shouldn't put teamwork at risk. That's soccer 101," he added.
For Del Bosque, the key is balance. You can't demand that Vinicius be a different player, nor should you allow his lack of defensive involvement to break the unit.
The former Real Madrid coach knows what it's like to deal with egos. During his time on the bench, he managed squads with stars like Zidane, Figo, or Raúl. That's why he believes Xabi Alonso should apply psychology more than tactics.
"Sometimes you have to look the other way and take advantage of how they are. If you focus only on what they don't do, you're missing what they do give you," he explained. According to Del Bosque, changing them can make them lose what makes them unique.
Mbappé and Vinicius are game-changers in attack, but when they're on the field together, the team loses balance without the ball.
That worries the fans and also the coaching staff. Xabi Alonso will have to find the middle ground. With dialogue, with patience, and with leadership.
Don't dim their light
Del Bosque closed with a reflection that sums up his thinking: "If you try to change what makes players like this special, you dim them. That's when the whole team loses."
The advice is clear. Collective work is non-negotiable, but without losing the magic of those who can win matches with a single play. Vinicius and Mbappé must add, not get in each other's way, and Xabi must make it work.
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