Red card, four-match ban and online rumours: the current saga surrounding Vinicius Jr
Vinicius Jr was shown a straight red card for pulling an opponent’s hair in Real Madrid’s league match against Villarreal at the weekend and the Spanish football federation’s disciplinary committee handed him a four-match suspension two hours before Real faced Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday. The ban rules him out of El Clasico against Barcelona next week.
Contract negotiations that stalled for more than 18 months, then eventual agreement on an improved deal, did not end the headlines around the forward, who has also been the target of online conspiracy theories and criticism from some supporters. Jose Mourinho, who left Vinicius on the bench for the Villarreal game, said: "What makes me sad is the fact he really wants to be at his absolute best. He wants to be the Vini who wins games, scores goals and makes the difference. Seeing the pain he feels himself makes me sad. He is an extraordinary guy who works very hard to get back to his absolute best. "He deserves better treatment, as he has made Madrid very happy on many occasions."
Mourinho’s decision to start Yan Diomande instead meant it was the first time since last April that Vinicius had not begun a match for Real Madrid. After entering the Villarreal game in the 52nd minute, Vinicius appeared to score what would have been the club’s second goal from a Jude Bellingham assist, celebrated by kissing the badge and being surrounded by team-mates while Mourinho sprinted to join them. A VAR review sent the referee to the monitor, however, and images shown there led to the goal being overturned when the official determined Vinicius had pulled Nathan Saliba’s hair while the ball was in play and neither player was challenging for it.
The referee issued a straight red card and Vinicius’ reaction produced further disciplinary consequences, with team-mates having to intervene as he continued to protest. Mourinho refused to speak to the press after the dismissal, and "news travelled around the media room that Mourinho felt if he did speak, he would say something that would get him suspended," according to reports of the post-match media room atmosphere.
The disciplinary committee imposed a four-match suspension, allocating two matches for the hair-pulling incident and a further two for his protests after the dismissal, which rules him out of the league fixtures against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander and Valencia. Mourinho criticised the timing of the announcement, asking "Do you think it's normal for a player who is going to play an important match for Spanish football to know two hours before that he is sanctioned with four games? You don't need to answer me," and added: "It's not normal. Couldn't they do it now or tomorrow morning? We found out on the bus and almost arrived at the stadium." The Portuguese coach described the decision as showing "little respect" for the club and suggested the timing was intentional.
Following Real Madrid’s 4-3 comeback win over Roma, Vinicius apologised to team-mates and fans on social media and spoke to the media, saying: "I don't remember any player ever getting a four-game suspension," and adding: "I tried to get past the player in front of me and ended up grabbing his hair. "That's it – a red card. That's why I was so surprised, but I didn't say a single bad word to the referee to deserve a four-game suspension." He also acknowledged his frustration at being substituted in the 59th minute against Roma when Real were trailing 3-1 and said: "It's normal for me to get upset after being substituted because I always want to play every match," and "I'm aware of my form and how I'm playing. I'm here to help the team, and sometimes I need to come off so other players can play and change the dynamics."
Statistically, Vinicius has gone six appearances for Real Madrid without scoring, with his last goal coming in August against Real Sociedad. He underwent a cosmetic surgery procedure on his chin in July, which prompted social-media rumours that he had been replaced by a body double, and his reported split from Brazilian-American television personality Virginia Fonseca also drew coverage in Brazil.
Vinicius described the comeback win over Roma as "a huge boost for the team" and told supporters: "I know I'm not at my best right now, but I've had worse moments, and even when people doubted me, I've always stood up for this club. "That's why I renewed for six more years. The good streak will return, and the goals will come back. I'm sure of that. I have no doubt. I'm here to help the team." The four-match suspension means he will miss Real Madrid’s league matches against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander and Valencia.
