Vinicius Jr Explains Anger at Jose Mourinho Substitution After Real Madrid Victory
Vinicius Jr has explained his frustration at being substituted by Jose Mourinho during Real Madrid’s Champions League victory over AS Roma, insisting that his reaction stemmed from his desire to help the team. The Brazilian forward also addressed the controversial four-match suspension he received following an incident in LaLiga.
The latest controversy comes after Vinicius was involved in a heated episode during Real Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Villarreal last weekend. The winger saw a goal disallowed after VAR footage showed him pulling Nathan Saliba’s hair during the attacking move.
Following the decision, Vinicius appeared to confront the referee before Antonio Rudiger intervened to prevent the situation from escalating further. The Brazilian was subsequently shown a red card, adding to the controversy surrounding the incident.
Vinicius initially received a two-match suspension for pulling Saliba’s hair, but the punishment was increased following his reaction towards the referee. The resulting four-match ban means he will miss the upcoming El Clasico, a decision he considers unjust. He also revealed that he learned of the punishment through the reaction of supporters inside the stadium.
Despite the domestic suspension, Vinicius was available for Real Madrid’s Champions League encounter against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday, October 15. He started the match but struggled to make a significant impact before Mourinho replaced him with fellow Brazilian Endrick early in the second half. Endrick subsequently found the net, adding another twist to an evening that had already been frustrating for Vinicius.
Speaking after the match, the forward defended his reaction to the substitution, explaining that his frustration was directed at his own performance rather than his manager’s decision.
“Why was I angry when I was substituted? I think that is normal because I wanted to help the team. Substitutions are part of the game. Endrick was the best player, and Carlos Espi also came on and scored,” Vinicius said, as reported by Goal International.
The Brazilian admitted that he was disappointed with himself for failing to deliver the performance he had hoped for. Nevertheless, he remains confident that he can rediscover his best form and make a greater contribution in future matches.
Vinicius also expressed frustration with the negative reactions he receives from some supporters whenever he has possession of the ball. While he questioned whether the criticism helps him or the team, he acknowledged that fans have the right to express their opinions after paying to watch the match.
“I will get back to my best. When I was young, people used to laugh at me. But in the end, I managed to score hundreds of goals for Real Madrid,” he concluded.
Vinicius’ comments underline his determination to overcome both his recent disciplinary problems and the criticism surrounding his performances. Although his frustration at the Stadio Olimpico was visible, the Brazilian remains convinced that he can return to his best level and continue playing an influential role for Real Madrid.
With his domestic suspension looming and scrutiny continuing to grow, the forward will need to channel that frustration into his performances when he is available again. For Mourinho and Real Madrid, managing Vinicius’ emotions while maintaining his confidence could prove just as important as getting the best out of his considerable talent.
