Alvaro Arbeloa has come out in defense of Vinicius Junior after Real Madrid fans booed the Brazilian on Saturday (January 17th). The Brazilian was on the receiving end of constant jeers from the home crowd as Los Blancos beat Levante 2-0 in La Liga.
Vinicius was spotted looking upset by the response from fans in light of Xabi Alonso leaving the Estadio Bernabeu. The Spaniard parted ways on Monday and held a tumultous relationship with the winger.
Vinícius went straight to the locker room and did not stay with the rest of the players to applaud the fans after the final whistle. pic.twitter.com/3ykmEEhrbb
— Dr Yash (@YashRMFC) January 17, 2026
Kylian Mbappe, who scored the opener, comforted Vinicius before the game. The 25-year-old headed down the tunnel after the game while his teammates went to clap the fans.
Arbeloa responds to Vinicius boos
Arbeloa defended Vinicius after a humiliating 3-2 defeat to Segunda Division side Albacete in the Copa del Rey earlier this week. That game was played away from home so there was little sign of how the Brazilian would be recieved by Madridistas.
But today it was telling just how much of the blame they are placing on Vinicius for Alonso's exit. This was put to Arbeloa and he responded by backing the player (via Madrid Xtra):
"Vinicius represents what a Real Madrid player should be. He arrived when he was just a kid. I'm proud to have him."
The Spaniard who is in charge until the end of the season added:
"Vinicius is one of us and he will be for a lot of time. We need to give him more balls, that's ehat I ask the players. More chances, more balls. He's one of the best."
Vinicius had already been booed several times this season for haphazard performances which included an 18-game goal drought. But he wasn't the only one targeted by fans as Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde were also whistled whenever they were on the ball.
Arbeloa respects Madrid fans' opinions
The atmosphere at the Bernabeu was a toxic one that painted a picture of the disharmony between the team and supporters. Florentino Perez was in the stands he recieved a chant demanding that he step down as club president.
Arbeloa touched on the anger of the Bernabeu faithful and claimed he was also booed. He said (via the source above):
"I respect the Bernabeu and our fans's opinion a lot. They booed me too... It's in the fans's rights to show their disappointment. The booes were for everyone, me too. When things do go well it's ok to highlight it."
While Madrid fans' fury was the main talking point from today's game, it was a positive day overall for Arbeloa. His side moved to within a point of Barcelona in the La Liga title race with the Catalans away to Real Sociedad tomorrow.