Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has tendered an unreserved apology to fans, teammates, and club officials following his emotional reaction after being substituted during Sunday’s 2–1 victory over arch-rivals Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu.
In a heartfelt statement shared on his social media pages, the Brazilian winger admitted that his emotions got the better of him during the intense La Liga clash, which saw Real Madrid claim a hard-fought win.
“Today I want to apologize to all the Madridistas for my reaction when I was substituted in the Clásico,” Vinicius wrote.
“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.
“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.”
Vinicius, known for his fiery temperament and electrifying style of play, was visibly upset when manager Xabi Alonso replaced him midway through the second half. Cameras caught the 24-year-old gesturing in frustration as he made his way to the bench — a moment that sparked heated debate among fans and pundits alike.
However, the forward’s swift apology appears to have drawn a line under the incident. According to reports, Vinicius personally met with teammates and club officials at training on Wednesday to express his regret, pledging to channel his emotions more productively going forward.
