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Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior has issued a public apology following his widely publicized angry reaction to being substituted during the recent 2-1 victory over arch-rivals Barcelona in El Clásico at the Santiago Bernabéu. The incident, which occurred in the 72nd minute when coach Xabi Alonso replaced the Brazilian with Rodrygo, briefly overshadowed Real Madrid’s crucial win.
The Incident and Immediate Reaction
During the substitution, Vinícius was visibly frustrated, reportedly shouting in disbelief and then walking directly down the tunnel to the dressing room instead of taking a seat on the bench. Broadcasters and commentators captured the Brazilian’s clear agitation, with reports suggesting he was heard saying, “Always me. I’m leaving the team. It’s better if I leave.” He returned to the touchline area shortly after to see out the remainder of the tense match.
The player’s emotional exit sparked immediate media speculation and fan debate regarding his competitive temperament and his relationship with Coach Alonso, especially as Vinícius has faced a higher rate of substitutions this season compared to previous years. Following the match, Alonso stated that the matter would be handled internally within the dressing room.
The Public Apology and Justification
Two days after the match, the 25-year-old took to social media to address the controversy, releasing a detailed statement to clarify his actions and reaffirm his commitment to the club.
In his post, Vinícius offered an apology to the entire Madridista community and club personnel.
“Today I want to apologize to all the Madridistas for my reaction when I was substituted in the Clásico. Just as I have already done in person during today’s training, I also want to apologize again to my teammates, the club, and the president,” the statement read.
He attributed his emotional response to his intense drive to perform at the highest level:
“Sometimes passion gets the better of me because I always want to win and help my team. My competitive character stems from the love I feel for this club and everything it represents. I promise to keep fighting every second for the good of Real Madrid, as I have done since the first day.”
Notably, the public apology, which was directed toward the fans, the president, and his teammates, did not explicitly mention Coach Xabi Alonso. This omission has fueled further speculation in some media outlets regarding the underlying dynamics between the player and the coach.
The public statement appears to be an effort to draw a line under the moment of controversy, shifting the focus back to the team’s strong start to the season as they prepare for upcoming fixtures.
