He could miss Salzburg-Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso has warned him: 'Be careful'

All eyes are on the preparation for the match against Mexican side Pachuca, the second round of the Club World Cup. Real Madrid desperately needs a win to keep its chances of qualifying for the knockout rounds alive, so Xabi Alonso wants to have his best players available.

One of those footballers is Vinícius Jr. The "7" verdeamarelo still hasn't found his way back to his best form, but the Tolosa coach believes he has the ability to make that happen as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the Madrid coach has spoken face to face with his protégé, just hours before a match that is vital in multiple ways for the South American forward.

The match against Mexican side Pachuca gives him a chance to redeem himself not only competitively, silencing most of the criticism and negative rumors that have recently emerged. He also must be very careful, something Xabi Alonso has already warned him about, due to his disciplinary situation.

The Brazilian player received a yellow card in his World Cup debut against Al-Hilal for simulation. Argentinian referee Facundo Tello didn't hesitate to book the São Gonçalo striker for that attempt to deceive him... and has put Vinícius himself in a worse situation than it seems for his future in the Club World Cup.

He won't have a second chance

FIFA's rules are very clear in this regard: a player will serve a yellow card suspension if he receives two cards during the group stage matches. Vinícius has already received one, in the first match, so his participation in the match against RB Salzburg will be in doubt in the clash with Pachuca.

Xabi Alonso has reiterated his warning to Vinícius regarding this disciplinary issue. Because no one at Real Madrid can or wants to afford the "top-level" of losing one of the most decisive and influential players in the first team in the current situation. Especially when Kylian Mbappé still hasn't fully recovered from the acute gastroenteritis that even led to his hospitalization in Miami a few days ago.

Real Madrid is looking for its first win in the Club World Cup amid one of the most persistent controversies in recent seasons: Vinícius's discipline. The relationship between the Madrid striker and the refereeing establishment, especially the Spanish one, is not one of his strengths... and it shows even in the competition organized by FIFA.

Xabi Alonso believes he can, albeit with time and patience, undo one of the footballer's greatest weaknesses. The verdeamarelo star is key in his tactical schemes and needs to have his footballing services available match after match. To achieve this, he must keep completely away from controversies and refrain from protests and other actions that do not benefit him at all.