Vinicius Jr. found himself embroiled in controversy once again during Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Valencia at Mestalla.
The Brazilian winger, who has previously encountered difficulties at this stadium, made headlines for the wrong reasons once more.
Known for his previous stand against racism at Mestalla, Vinicius’s latest appearance saw him receive a red card, marking his second at this venue.
The incident occurred in the second half when Vinicius responded aggressively to Valencia’s goalkeeper, Stole Dimitrievski.
The altercation started after the goalkeeper scolded the Real Madrid player for repeatedly protesting a tackle.
However, Vinicius’s reaction escalated into physical confrontation, pushing his hands into Dimitrievski’s face while play was stopped.
The referee, Soto Grado, reviewed the incident via VAR before issuing the red card.
In his post-match report, Soto Grado explained that the red card was given for a deliberate and forceful strike to the opponent’s head, unrelated to the game itself.
He also noted that Vinicius had to be restrained by teammates and staff as he continued to protest his dismissal.
This incident has reignited discussions about Vinicius’s behavior on the field. Despite his exceptional talent and contributions, disciplinary issues continue to cast a shadow over his reputation.
While Real Madrid secured the win, the controversy surrounding their star player dominated the narrative.
Following the match, manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that the club plans to appeal the decision, believing the red card was unjust and seeking to reduce any potential suspension.
Ancelotti stressed that the club will work to ensure Vinicius’s actions are assessed fairly, hoping for a positive outcome.
While Vinicius remains a crucial player for Real Madrid, this episode has sparked debate about his temperament. His footballing ability continues to impress, but such incidents raise concerns about his discipline and composure.
As the club prepares to challenge the red card, the focus now shifts to whether Vinicius can move past these controversies and keep the attention on his footballing brilliance instead of his on-field altercations.
