The Bernabéu still has not forgiven Vinícius. A goal and an assist only bought temporary silence

Vinícius can sign a contract until 2032, score a goal and create another for Kylian Mbappé. At the Santiago Bernabéu, one misplaced pass can still be enough to reopen every argument from last season. The summer break ended. The memory of the crowd did not.

The Brazilian was whistled again during Wednesday’s match against Real Sociedad. According to El País, the reaction came as soon as the game became slightly uncomfortable and Vinícius failed to complete one of his actions. It was not the entire stadium turning against him, but it was loud enough to confirm that a section of the Bernabéu had not declared a new-season amnesty.

Vinícius produced the best possible answer. He scored to make it 3-1 in the 68th minute and then delivered a superb assist for Mbappé’s hat-trick goal twelve minutes later. Madrid won 4-1, and the earlier whistles were replaced by applause. The result covered the dispute for one evening, although it did not resolve it. Real Madrid’s match report also details the Brazilian’s goal and assist.

The tension between Vinícius and part of the home support dates back to the end of 2025. As Xabi Alonso’s team fell into crisis, the winger became one of the main targets of the crowd’s frustration. The situation reached its lowest point in January following Alonso’s dismissal, the Copa del Rey elimination against Albacete and a particularly hostile reception for Vinícius against Levante.

His public clash with Alonso during El Clásico also remains part of the grievance. Add two seasons below his best level and months of uncertainty surrounding his contract, and the Brazilian became an easy target. Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and even Florentino Pérez were also whistled during Madrid’s collapse, but Vinícius was the only player singled out again during the opening home game of the new campaign.

José Mourinho is trying to stop the dispute from becoming a permanent feature of every match at the Bernabéu. The Portuguese coach has publicly defended Vinícius, arguing that opponents bully him and referees do not offer enough protection. After the Real Sociedad game, however, he also remarked that a couple of whistles never hurt anyone.

Mourinho substituted Vinícius in the 84th minute, after his goal and assist. He later admitted that he chose that moment so the player could leave the pitch to applause. It looked partly like squad management and partly like a carefully scheduled peace conference. Mourinho placed Vinícius in front of the crowd at the safest possible moment and allowed the scoreboard to handle the difficult introductions.

The club’s position is much clearer than the mood inside the stadium. Earlier this month, Real Madrid extended Vinícius’ contract until 30 June 2032. The board has made its choice. The crowd has not signed the same agreement and continues to judge the winger one action at a time.

The next test comes against Málaga. Another decisive performance could bring more applause. A few failed dribbles may be enough to bring back the old soundtrack.

Vinícius is tied to Real Madrid until 2032. His truce with the Bernabéu appears to require renewal every ninety minutes.