Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has suffered a difficult setback after receiving a four-match domestic suspension for pulling the hair of Villarreal midfielder Nathan Saliba, putting his participation in next week’s El Clasico against Barcelona in doubt.
The punishment was announced just hours before Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Roma, adding to the tension surrounding the Brazilian winger ahead of his team‘s dramatic 4-3 comeback victory.
Vinicius also endured frustration on the pitch after manager Jose Mourinho substituted him before the hour mark, with Madrid trailing 3-1. His teammates subsequently turned the game around, leaving the forward with mixed emotions after a turbulent day.
Vinicius to Miss El Clasico After Four-Match Suspension
The suspension stems from an incident during Real Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Villarreal, when Vinicius was shown a straight red card for pulling Saliba’s hair.
The decision means the Brazilian is set to miss domestic fixtures against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander and Valencia. He is expected to become available for La Liga selection again when Madrid face Celta Vigo on November 22.
The ban applies only to domestic competitions, meaning Vinicius can still feature in Real Madrid’s Champions League matches against RB Leipzig and AEK Athens during the suspension period.
Spanish media reports suggest the club could appeal the punishment, although the outcome of any potential appeal remains uncertain.
Brazilian Forward Questions Decision-Making by Officials
Vinicius expressed his frustration after learning about the suspension, arguing that the specific interpretation of hair-pulling incidents had not previously been adequately explained to players.
He said representatives from La Liga and the referees’ association regularly discuss the rules with footballers but had not addressed that particular issue in the same way.
The winger also complained that he frequently felt unfairly treated by referees, claiming that he was often on the receiving end of physical challenges while disciplinary action was directed against him.
Despite his objections, Vinicius acknowledged the seriousness of the incident, saying the hair pull had been treated as a red-card offence.
Referee Reports Aggressive Conduct After Red Card
The referee, Isidro Díaz de Mera, reportedly described Vinicius as continuing to protest loudly after being dismissed during the Villarreal match.
According to the referee’s report, the player moved towards the official in an aggressive manner and had to be restrained by teammates before leaving the pitch.
Vinicius also appeared to push a La Liga official as he walked away, prompting further criticism of his behaviour.
The Brazilian later issued a brief apology on Instagram to Real Madrid and his supporters. However, he also shared clips of other match incidents in which he believed opposing players should have received similar disciplinary action.
Accompanying the footage, he complained that he was repeatedly the player receiving yellow and red cards, describing the situation as a disgrace.
Mourinho Questions Timing of Suspension Announcement
Mourinho was particularly unhappy that the suspension became known so close to the Roma match.
Speaking to Spanish newspaper AS, the Real Madrid manager questioned why a player had to learn about a four-game ban only two hours before a fixture.
He argued that the timing showed a lack of respect, particularly given the demands of Madrid’s recent schedule and the importance of the matches ahead.
Mourinho also expressed scepticism about explanations linked to television broadcasting arrangements and suggested that supporters would question the circumstances surrounding the announcement.
The coach stopped short of launching a detailed public attack during his post-match press conference, explaining that he did not want to risk being unavailable on the bench for upcoming games against Sevilla and Barcelona.
Vinicius Frustrated After Early Substitution Against Roma
The suspension was not the only source of frustration for Vinicius during Madrid’s trip to Rome.
With the Spanish side trailing 3-1, Mourinho withdrew the winger before the 60-minute mark. Vinicius made little effort to hide his disappointment, explaining afterwards that he naturally wanted to remain on the pitch and play every available minute.
He said his priority was always to perform at his best and help the team, adding that he was angry because he had been unable to do so for the remainder of the match.
However, the Brazilian also recognised the contribution of his replacement, 20-year-old Endrick, who scored his first goal of the season as Madrid completed a remarkable late comeback.
Real Madrid eventually secured a 4-3 victory, recovering from a two-goal deficit to take the win in the closing stages.
Mourinho Backs Vinicius to Recover His Form
Despite the controversy surrounding the winger, Mourinho has publicly expressed confidence in his ability to rediscover his best performances.
Vinicius has scored once and provided three assists in eight appearances this season, according to the figures supplied in the original report. Those numbers have fallen short of the output expected from one of Madrid’s leading attacking players.
Mourinho, however, believes the forward will eventually regain his momentum.
Speaking to TNT Sports, the manager said Vinicius would emerge from his current difficulties and suggested it was only a matter of time.
The domestic suspension will nevertheless limit his opportunities to build consistency during an important stretch of the campaign.
Real Madrid Face Barcelona With Ground to Make Up
Vinicius’ expected absence from El Clasico represents a significant selection issue for Real Madrid as they attempt to close the gap on their domestic rivals.
Madrid are fourth in La Liga, six points behind Barcelona, who have made a perfect start to the season, according to the supplied report.
The Champions League comeback against Roma offered Madrid a boost after their difficult start to the match, but the result did little to resolve the questions surrounding Vinicius’ disciplinary situation.
With a potential appeal still to be considered and several domestic fixtures ahead, the winger’s suspension has become a major talking point at the club.
For now, Real Madrid must prepare for the possibility of facing Barcelona without their number seven, while Vinicius looks to put the controversy behind him and return to his best form.
