AGENT VINI: HOW VINICIUS JUNIOR INFILTRATED MBAPPE AND BELLINGHAM’S DMS TO SIGN THEM
Real Madrid’s Rodri pursuit begins! Discover how Vinicius Jr recruited Mbappe and why the Galáctico 3.0 era is facing a 2026 crisis.
Vinicius Junior didn’t just sit back and watch as Kylian Mbappé or Jude Bellingham got linked to Real Madrid. He jumped right in, texting both of them, basically playing agent, nudging them toward Madrid.
Bellingham finally landed in Madrid in 2023 for a hefty €103 million, after what felt like endless rumours about Liverpool. Mbappé took a bit longer. After years of endless gossip, he finally let his contract at PSG run out and showed up a year later.
Vinicius wasn’t shy about his role. “Every summer, I’d message him: ‘When are you coming?’ "I acted like his agent,” he told Ibai Llanos in a recent interview. “Did the same with Bellingham.” Why? Simple: he just wants to play with the best, thinking that’s the ticket to more trophies. But, as always with Madrid, things aren’t that straightforward.
Vinicius is hooked on the Galáctico ideal, that old Real Madrid idea that you just keep stacking superstar talent and the team gets better. It’s a glamorous vision, but it’s also the sort of thinking that’s tripped Madrid up more than once under Florentino Pérez.
Pérez first took over with big promises, leading with the blockbuster signing of Luís Figo. Then came Zidane, Ronaldo, and Beckham, one superstar after another. But to pay Beckham’s wages, Pérez sold Claude Makélélé, the team’s midfield anchor. Zidane summed it up best: “Why put another layer of gold paint on the Bentley when you’re losing the engine?” Madrid paid for it. They won just a single Spanish Super Cup over the next three seasons, and Pérez eventually lost his job.
When Pérez returned in 2009, he started another Galáctico project, signing Ronaldo, Kaká, and Benzema. But then, in 2014, Madrid let go of Ángel Di María, the tireless engine in midfield, and brought in James Rodríguez, who never quite fit. Another trophy drought followed.
Now, with Mbappé in the mix, it feels like just another flashy addition. Madrid had just pulled off a tough league and Champions League double in 2024, with Joselu, an old-school striker, leading the line. But instead of sticking with what worked, they brought in the roaming, high-profile Frenchman.
Mbappé’s personal stats look great, but the team’s results haven’t matched up lately. Both Carlo Ancelotti and Xabi Alonso lost their jobs after the team failed to repeat those big wins.
And if anyone’s felt the impact, it’s Vinicius. He fought so hard for Mbappé to join, but now they both prefer the left wing. They’ve only shown flashes of real chemistry. The numbers are telling: before Mbappé, Vinicius scored about once every 155 minutes. With Mbappé on the pitch, that drops to once every 223 minutes.
The twist is, off the field, they’re tight. Mbappé is one of Vinicius’s closest friends at the club, along with Camavinga and Mendy. “We spend more time together than with our families,” Vinicius said. “We have to have a good relationship.” If only that connection showed up on the pitch.
So, who’s next on Vinicius’s call list? If he’s still playing the agent, Madrid now really needs a defensive midfielder, a new Toni Kroos, someone who can control the game. There are interesting options out there, like Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller or Chema Andrés, who came up through Madrid’s academy. But if Vinicius still wants a superstar, there’s one obvious (and tricky) choice: Rodri.
Rodri’s been on Madrid’s radar for years. He’s a serial winner, runs the show for Spain, and controls games at the highest level. He’d cost a fortune, but the fit is perfect. The problem is, he just won the 2024 Ballon d’ Or, the same award Vinicius thought he deserved. Vinicius was so upset, he and the entire Madrid delegation boycotted the ceremony in protest. Rodri didn’t seem too bothered. “It’s up to each person or club to decide what to do,” he said later. “I wouldn’t have done it, but that’s just me.”
Now, more than a year later, maybe those hard feelings have faded. If Madrid wants to keep building, Vinicius might just have to reach out again, awkward or not.
ALVARO ARBELOA EXPLAIN WHY HUMILITY IS KEY TO OVERCOMING GUARDIOLA’S MAN CITY
Alvaro Arbeloa demands humility at the Etihad as Pep Guardiola cancels training before the Champions League decider.
Tomorrow night, Real Madrid and Manchester City will face off for the third time this season in the UEFA Champions League, this time at the Etihad Stadium.
Their first meeting, during the group stage, ended with Manchester City securing a 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu. However, Real Madrid got their revenge last week in the Round of 16 first leg, winning 3-0.
Now, led by Alvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid aims to protect that lead and secure its place in the quarterfinals.
Talking about the team’s mindset as they prepare for the match, Arbeloa said the goal remains unchanged from the first leg. They want to win, maintaining the same humility and determination, aware that it won't be an easy task. He emphasised that humility and ambition will be key.
He also spoke about the mental angle: Real Madrid knows the challenge they face and the quality of their opponent. To come out on top, they must focus solely on delivering a high-level performance, showing solidarity, effort, and sacrifice, essentially creating significant problems for Manchester City.
Reflecting on the first leg win without Kylian Mbappe, Arbeloa pointed out how impressive it is for a team to compete well without their top scorer, underlining the overall strength of the squad.
Fortunately for Real Madrid, Mbappe will be available tomorrow. Jude Bellingham has been named in the squad as well, although Arbeloa clarified he won’t play. Still, it’s positive to see Bellingham close to returning; the manager believes he’ll be a leader for the team moving forward.
When asked about the possibility of keeping the current 4-4-2 formation after Mbappe’s return, Arbeloa noted that Mbappe brings unique qualities distinct from players like Brahim. He highlighted Mbappe’s intelligence and ability to exploit spaces, expressing eagerness to have him on the pitch.
Since Arbeloa took charge two months ago, there’s been a notable shift toward trusting youth players from the academy and reserves. He made it clear that no player is untouchable; everyone, including Valverde, Vinicius, and Tchouameni, had to earn their spot on merit. The academy youngsters have stepped up impressively, performing at a high level and contributing significantly.
As injured players return, Arbeloa expects to have more options, aiming to consistently field the strongest eleven suited to each match.
Regarding whether matches like this one influence his future at the club, Arbeloa dismissed the idea. His focus is fully on the team and the fans' excitement. He plans to stay as long as needed and enjoy every moment.
Leading up to the game, Pep Guardiola surprised some by giving Manchester City a day off and cancelling training. Arbeloa wasn’t fazed, pointing out that Guardiola is a seasoned manager with nearly a thousand games under his belt. City’s squad know each other so well, they can practically play without thinking.
On Federico Valverde’s role, Arbeloa praised his versatility and current form. Valverde can play anywhere and is thriving, finding the back of the net and enjoying freedom on the field. With Bellingham's and Mbappe’s eventual return, the team wants to keep this strong version of Valverde going.
Lastly, Arbeloa touched on Arda Guler’s performance in the first leg, especially how he was tasked with marking Erling Haaland during set pieces. He admired Guler’s goal against Elche and acknowledged the importance of crowding Haaland defensively. Arbeloa felt Guler did well and is hopeful they can replicate that effort tomorrow.
REAL MADRID: DISCOVER ARDA GULER’S SENSATIONAL 50-YARD LOB THAT SHOOK THE ENTIRE SANTIAGO BERNABEU
Real Madrid move within one point of Barcelona as Arda Guler scores a legendary lob in a 4-1 victory over Elche.
Real Madrid narrowed the gap to just one point behind Barcelona at the top of La Liga ahead of the Catalans’ upcoming match against Sevilla on Sunday. Atletico Madrid held onto third place with a narrow 1-0 victory over Getafe, despite being down to ten men after Abdel Abqar was sent off for an unfortunate incident involving Alexander Sorloth.
Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde, fresh off a remarkable Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City earlier in the week, continued his fine form by curling a precise shot into the top corner just before halftime. This came after Antonio Rudiger had already put Madrid ahead with a powerful strike. Later, young defender Dean Huijsen added a header to complete the scoring for Alvaro Arbeloa’s squad, who will travel to Manchester City on Tuesday with hopes of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals.
But the standout moment of the evening belonged to Turkish midfielder Guler, who spotted Elche’s goalkeeper Matias Dituro off his line late in the game and lobbed the ball from near the centre circle with remarkable accuracy. “He had hit the bar from there in a previous match, but today he pulled it off. What a goal,” Madrid’s Brahim Díaz commented to the club’s TV channel. Arbeloa also praised the strike, noting that it was the kind of moment worth watching in person.
With a comfortable lead, Arbeloa was able to rest key players such as Vinicius Junior and Valverde, giving valuable minutes to younger talents like 18-year-old winger Daniel Yanez. Yanez delivered a precise cross that set up Huijsen’s header for Madrid’s third goal. Arbeloa reflected on bringing these players on at the Bernabeu, recalling that he had coached them since they were early teens and describing the moment as a dream come true.
Despite the scoreline, Elche remain in a difficult position, suffering their 11th consecutive league game without a win and facing the threat of dropping into the relegation zone. Madrid, energised after their Champions League success, gradually dismantled Elche’s early resistance. When Dituro saved Valverde’s free-kick but failed to clear the rebound, Rudiger pounced to score in the 39th minute. Valverde then added another just before the break, showcasing his ability to find space and precision shooting.
A late slip from Madrid substitute Manuel Angel resulted in an own goal as he attempted to intercept a cross, briefly narrowing the gap. Still, Guler’s stunning lob re-established Madrid’s lead from a long distance, sealing the match with a remarkable finish. Meanwhile, Madrid continues to manage absences, including Jude Bellingham’s injury, while hoping that Kylian Mbappé could return soon after a knee sprain. Arbeloa described the players’ commitment as exceptional but acknowledged there is still room to improve as the season progresses.
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