Vinicius Jr’s Sideline Meltdown: Real Madrid Star’s Explosive Reaction to Substitution
Even if you’ve read about this incident before, read again – we’ve updated this story with direct quotes from Vinicius Jr and Xabi Alonso, lip-read from broadcast footage.
The Substitution That Sparked the Fire
Real Madrid secured victory in the El Clasico at Bernabéu, but the most frustrated person on the field wasn’t from Barcelona – it was Vinicius Junior.
When Xabi Alonso substituted him in the 72nd minute, Vinicius couldn’t believe it. “Me? Me?!” he screamed repeatedly, waving his arms in disbelief throughout his walk to the bench.
The Explosive Sideline Outburst
Vinicius directed his anger toward the coach, shouting “Mister! Mister!” while struggling to comprehend why he was being targeted. His frustration escalated rapidly, culminating in explicit Portuguese profanity: “Vai tomar no culo” – roughly translating to “Go to hell!” or more literally “Go take it in the ass.”
The Shocking Threat to Leave Real Madrid
While Movistar and DAZN broadcasts didn’t capture the audio, DAZN’s Spanish coverage reported Vinicius went even further, shouting: “I’m leaving the team… I’m leaving, it’s better if I leave” (“Yo me voy del equipo… Me voy, mejor me voy” in the original Spanish).
Xabi Alonso’s Calculated Response
Xabi Alonso clearly anticipated the reaction. Broadcast footage initially suggested he simply turned away, deliberately avoiding looking at the raging Vinicius. However, DAZN later revealed Alonso did throw one phrase his way: “Come on, Vini, for God’s sake”, using “hostia” as a mild substitute for stronger language.
After this brief exchange, Alonso ignored the continuing drama, focusing instead on the field action as Vinicius disappeared down the tunnel.
The Aftermath and Cooling Down Period
Vinicius returned to the bench after approximately ten minutes, still muttering to himself. Teammate Andriy Lunin had to step in to calm him down, attempting to diffuse the volatile situation.
Later, at the press conference, Alonso tried to downplay the incident, politely noting that “the field always has many strong personalities” and adding that the situation would be discussed – but only within the locker room.
Late-Game Flashpoint
The agitated Vinicius caused another scene at the final whistle. A confrontation erupted following Pedri’s red card, forcing Alonso to physically pull the furious Brazilian away from Barcelona players. Vinicius had been overly enthusiastic about the Barcelona red card, drawing disapproval from those around him.
Staying calm when someone else becomes the center of attention remains a challenge Vinicius rarely overcomes.
Match Analysis: Real Madrid Exposes Barcelona’s Weaknesses
Beyond the sideline drama, Real Madrid effectively exposed Barcelona’s defensive problems. Xabi Alonso deserved his El Clasico victory, while young talent Lamine Yamal struggled to make a positive impact.
Post-Match Reactions
Dani Carvajal couldn’t resist trolling Yamal after the victory, while Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz proved his football prediction skills, correctly guessing both the final score and Real Madrid’s goal scorers.
The incident raises serious questions about Vinicius’s temperament and his future at the club, despite his undeniable talent and importance to the team.
