One of Alvaro Arbeloa’s priorities is to recover the best version of Vinicius Jr.
The Brazilian’s inconsistent form, his lashing out at Xabi Alonso in the league El Clasico after being substituted, and his laughter with Endrick on the bench during the Copa match against Talavera, have placed the Real Madrid forward under intense criticism.
Fans at the Santiago Bernabeu have taken to booing and whistling at him relentlessly for several home games now.
However, the arrival of Arbeloa has given Vinicius a boost. The new Real Madrid coach wants the 25-year-old forward to feel important again and to return to being decisive for his team.
For that reason, his public words towards the player have been ones of unconditional support.
Arbeloa’s support for Vinicius
In fact, Arbeloa’s attempts to motivate Vinicius were on full display during Real Madrid’s last La Liga game on Saturday.
Movistar+ cameras captured a sequence during the match between Real Madrid and Levante showing an exchange between player and coach that clearly reflects the manager’s philosophy.
"𝑳𝒐 𝒗𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒑𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒓".
Arbeloa motiva a Vinicius.#ElDíaDespués pic.twitter.com/jQ4TJk9dqC
— El Día Después en Movistar Plus+ (@ElDiaDespues) January 19, 2026
“I tell you all the time, go for it. You are going to smash it, you are going to smash it, you are going to smash it, come on, hold on,” Arbeloa said to Vinicius as the player passed by the Real Madrid technical area.
Support has been unconditional since Arbeloa took charge of the first team. After the Copa del Rey match against Albacete, the coach wanted to highlight Vini’s work and commitment.
“It has been positive to see where he was coming from, his efforts, that he wanted to be here, play his minutes and not hide,” he had said.
“That is the Vinicius I want to see. Some days he will have brighter days and others less so. This Vinicius is a captain and is the one I want to see.”
As reported earlier today, there is a strong bond forming between the new coach and the attacking superstar. Whether Arbeloa’s methods and attempts to reinvigorate the Brazilian’s season are successful remains to be seen.