Home
Madrid derby once again lived up to its reputation, but Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in the Supercopa de Espana semi-final was overshadowed by a heated exchange involving Vinicius Jr and Diego Simeone.
What should have been a moment of tactical celebration quickly turned into one of the night’s most talked-about flashpoints.
Early goals set the tone in Riyadh
Played in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the derby began at a blistering pace. Federico Valverde stunned Atletico Madrid by opening the scoring in the very first minute with a spectacular free-kick, immediately tilting momentum in Real Madrid’s favor.
The intensity continued into the second half, where Rodrygo doubled the lead in the 55th minute with a composed finish.
Atletico responded swiftly, as Alexander Sorloth pulled one back just three minutes later, reigniting hope and setting up a tense final stretch.
Flashpoint sparks late-game chaos
The decisive moment off the ball arrived in the 81st minute, when Vinicius Jr was substituted by Xabi Alonso. As the Brazilian winger made his way to the sidelines, Diego Simeone directed comments toward him that immediately escalated tensions.
According to Tiempo de Juego, Simeone mocked the 25-year-old by shouting:
"Vini, Vini, Florentino Perez will kick you out."
The remark appeared to strike a nerve. Vinicius reacted angrily, and the situation quickly spiraled into a confrontation involving both benches.
Antonio Rudiger was seen attempting to calm the winger, while Alonso and his coaching staff reacted furiously to Simeone’s provocation.
Context behind Vinicius’ reaction
The exchange came during a challenging period for Vinicius. The Brazilian has endured a frustrating run of form this season, failing to score in 18 consecutive matches. His struggles have been compounded by growing speculation surrounding his long-term future at the club.
Vinicius is under contract until summer 2027, but uncertainty has surrounded his situation. Reports in November indicated he was unwilling to extend his deal due to a “strained relationship” with Alonso, adding further sensitivity to Simeone’s comments during the derby.
Disciplinary fallout and aftermath
Vinicius was booked for his role in the confrontation, while Simeone avoided on-field punishment. Despite the chaos, Real Madrid held firm to secure the win and book their place in the Supercopa final.
In the buildup to the match, Alonso had publicly backed Vinicius to rediscover his best form, and he continued to support the winger after the incident.
The derby clash, however, highlighted how external pressure and on-field rivalries continue to follow Vinicius during a turbulent season.
ADVERTISEMENT
