Real Madrid secured a crucial win against Barcelona to go five points clear at the top of the La Liga table. It was also Xabi Alonso’s first El Clásico as a manager, and he will be delighted with the result.
While it was a great day for the Los Blancos players overall, some incidents occurred in the later stages of the matchup that raised some eyebrows, particularly the outburst of Vini Jr following his substitution in the second half.
The Brazilian winger was visibly upset and went straight down the tunnels. Although he did return to the bench a while later, the entire episode was not a pretty sight to behold. Meanwhile, reports have emerged suggesting that Vinicius could see his future elsewhere and he isn’t the only name expected to leave either. Here are 3 Real Madrid players who could depart in 2026.
3 Real Madrid players who won't be back in 2026
Vinícius Júnior
Vini Jr, who was an undisputed starter under Carlo Ancelotti, has found himself under increased scrutiny this season, with his playing time somewhat reduced. More often than not, the Brazilian has been subbed off in the latter stages of matches, completing only three full games across all competitions so far. Although these changes have largely been tactical, tensions between Alonso and Vini have reportedly been brewing due to this.
The former Ballon d’Or runner-up has a feeling that he is being overlooked and undervalued. As a result, a move away from the Santiago Bernabéu no longer seems as far-fetched as it once did. The player has a contract with the club running till 2027, but a renewal has been stuck for quite some time now, which could also become a factor.
Meanwhile, finding a new club for Vinicius would hardly be a challenge, with the Brazilian among the best players in the world. That said, it remains to be seen if Real Madrid will be willing to let go of their star just yet.
Endrick
Endrick is another Brazilian who unfortunately makes this list. The youngster has found it difficult to break through at Real Madrid after showing promise in his initial days at the club. He is yet to play a single minute under the new manager. The emergence of Gonzalo García hasn’t helped his case either.
The 19-year-old now has a decision to make, whether he wants to patiently wait for his opportunity at Real Madrid or look for a way out in next year when the transfer window reopens and get some regular playing time elsewhere.
Chances are he will opt for the latter, as his situation is unlikely to change with Kylian Mbappé in top form and García also doing his job quite well when given the chance.
Dani Ceballos
Ceballos was close to leaving Real Madrid in the summer but decided to stay instead, at least for the time being. And that seems to have paid off well for the player, who has managed to appear in eight matches so far across all competitions this season.
However, things are likely to change moving forward, especially with Jude Bellingham coming back from injury and already making waves with his performances. Additionally, other midfielders like Arda Güler, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Federico Valverde are expected to keep their place in the squad judging by their recent displays.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are still looking to bring someone similar to Toni Kroos’ profile to fill the gap left by the German icon, and the Spaniard midfielder seems to be the one the club would have the least difficulty letting go of to create space. Ceballos has an agreement running till 2027, and there are no contract renewal talks in sight. So 2026, in all probability, will be the year Ceballos bids goodbye to Real Madrid fans.