Vini Jr. and Mbappé have low passing performance and are a concern for Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid
Despite their individual brilliance, the attacking duo lacks synergy in Real Madrid’s frontline, says Spanish outlet Diario AS
Real Madrid’s star forwards Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé are yet to form an effective partnership, raising concerns ahead of the 2025–26 season under incoming coach Xabi Alonso. According to a detailed report by Diario AS, the two players have failed to establish a consistent connection on the pitch, despite sharing 3,439 minutes together just 55% of the total 6,240 minutes played by the club this season.
Passing stats reveal lack of collaboration
The report highlights a notably low exchange of passes between the duo. Of Vinícius’s 1,315 total passes this season, only 15% were directed to Mbappé. The French striker, in turn, passed to the Brazilian only 13% of the time across his 1,413 passes.
While both players have maintained individual excellence, their lack of chemistry has impacted team fluidity. Sergio López, in his AS column, stated bluntly: “They’re two geniuses… who don’t get along.” The issue, he emphasizes, is not talent, but partnership.
Decline in Vini Jr.’s efficiency
The effects of this disconnection are already visible in Vinícius Júnior’s performance. After winning the Ballon d’Or, the Brazilian’s goal-scoring frequency dropped significantly from one goal every 129 minutes to one every 211 minutes. His goal involvement rate also slipped from once every 88 minutes to every 113 minutes.
Meanwhile, Mbappé finished the season strong, becoming La Liga’s top scorer with 31 goals, reinforcing the perception that he is adapting faster to the club’s structure.
A challenge for Xabi Alonso
The report suggests that Xabi Alonso, who takes over in August, will face an uphill task: uniting two of the most explosive forwards in world football without compromising their individual performance. A previous experiment moving Vini Jr. to the right wing to accommodate Mbappé was abandoned after the Brazilian expressed discomfort.
According to AS, not even Carlo Ancelotti managed to find a balanced formula. Alonso’s success may hinge on building tactical synergy between the two stars, who are used to being the focal point of their respective attacks.
