15.10.2026
Real Madrid and Brazil star player Vinicius Junior said referees should be fair to him just like they are, to other star players like Lamine Yamal and Julian Alvarez in the LaLiga contest.
Vinicius was handed a four-match ban by the Spanish federation follow a hair pulling incident and protesting the red card handed him by the referee during a match between Real Madrid and Villarreal CF at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on October 10.
“I don’t recall any other player receiving a four-match suspension. I tried to move the player in front of me out of the way and I ended up getting caught in his hair,” Vinicius said.
“That was it – a red card – which is why I was so surprised. I didn’t say a single offensive word to the referee that would warrant a four-match ban. But when it comes to Vini, it’s all too easy.
“The opposing team will always say it’s justified, and the press will say the same. I understand that. I’m here to keep evolving and improving, because I know where I’ve come from and what I’m capable of achieving,” Vinicius added.
“It’s understandable for the opposing fans to jeer me, because my job is to score goals against their team, but I don’t get the referees.
“I’ve seen the stats: I’ve been on the receiving end of 500 fouls, yet that has only resulted in five red cards. In the end, the yellow cards always seem to go to Vini, to the attacking players. We need to protect the players who bring something different to the game, like Lamine at Barcelona or Julian at Atleti. Defenders are allowed to foul me the entire match but in the end it’s me who gets the card.”
Vinicius, who hasn’t scored for Madrid since August.
“I’m working to get back to my best as soon as possible,” Vinicius said. “I know I’m not at my peak right now, but I’ve been through worse and even when people have doubted me, I’ve always stood up for this club. That’s why I signed a six-year contract extension.
“The good run of form will return and the goals will come back, too. I’m certain of that. I have no doubt. I’m here to help the team.”
Because of his suspension, Vinicius will miss Sunday’s home match against Sevilla and the following week’s trip for “el Clasico” against Barcelona. He will also miss away matches at Racing Santander and Valencia.