Xabi Alonso praised Vinícius Júnior as "fundamental" and "decisive" for Real Madrid ahead of two crunch games this week against Juventus in the Champions League , and Barcelona in El Clásico .

Alonso left Vinícius out of the starting XI for Sunday's LaLiga trip to Getafe , before the Brazil international came off the bench to change the game, with two Getafe players receiving red cards for fouling him.

It was the third time this season that Alonso has benched Vinícius when available, with contract talks over a new deal for the forward at a standstill.

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"He's a ve

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