Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has broken his silence following the controversial end to Sunday’s El Clasico, characterizing the intense emotions as part of what makes the historic rivalry special.
Vinicius Junior Addresses Heated El Clasico Incident
His comments come after a match-winning 2-1 performance was overshadowed by his own angry reaction to being substituted and a post-game scuffle.
The controversy ignited when manager Xabi Alonso substituted Vinicius with 20 minutes remaining. The Brazilian winger visibly erupted in fury on the pitch.
Vinicius Jr was not happy about being substituted during El Clasico…
The Brazilian stormed down the tunnel after being taken off by Xabi Alonso. pic.twitter.com/S58bwxiVZO
— Sports Illustrated FC (@SI_FootballClub) October 26, 2025
Reports suggest his outburst included a heated rant directed at Alonso, with some speculating he made threats about leaving the club. Vinicius then stormed directly down the tunnel before eventually returning to the bench.
Speaking to Real Madrid TV after the game, Vinicius did not directly address his substitution reaction but acknowledged the fiery nature of the fixture.
“That’s what El Clásico is like; there are many things on and off the pitch,” he stated.
“We try to balance it all, but it’s not always possible. We don’t want to offend anyone, neither the Barça players nor the fans.”
The game concluded with a physical altercation after the final whistle, which resulted in a yellow card for Vinicius for his involvement.
Manager Xabi Alonso confirmed he would speak with the player but downplayed any major rift. Club officials reportedly share this view, considering the incident unfortunate but not a serious issue.
An unnamed club source told MARCA, “Vinicius can’t put on that show. He’s the third captain and must set an example.”
Despite the clear disapproval of his conduct, Real Madrid does not plan to sanction Vinicius. The club appears to view his explosive reaction not as outright dissent, but as a misplaced display of his overwhelming passion and desire to compete in the club’s biggest matches.
