Vinicius Junior is back in the spotlight at a crucial point in Real Madrid's season. Over the summer, uncertainty hung over his future as contract talks stalled for more than 18 months, with Arsenal reportedly among the clubs interested in the Brazilian. Those negotiations eventually reached a resolution, with Vinicius securing an improved deal, but the headlines have continued.
Bizarre conspiracy theories then claimed he had been replaced by a body double after cosmetic surgery following the World Cup. Following his dismissal against Villarreal, a four-match suspension rules him out of El Clasico against Barcelona. Beyond the social media frenzy, bigger questions are emerging about his form, on-pitch behaviour and relationship with Real Madrid supporters. Jose Mourinho started him on the bench against Villarreal, the first time since last April Vinicius had not started for the club.
Mourinho said it made him sad to see the pain Vinicius feels, adding that he "deserves better treatment" after making Madrid happy on many occasions. Vinicius has been repeatedly booed by some home fans this season. He had seemed to make an immediate impact after coming on, scoring what Real believed was their second goal, only for a VAR review to overturn it after he was seen pulling Nathan Saliba's hair while the ball was in play. He was shown a straight red card and continued to protest, prompting further disciplinary action.
The Spanish football federation's disciplinary committee handed him a suspension of four matches, two for the hair-pulling and two for his protests, ruling him out of fixtures against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander and Valencia. Mourinho criticised the timing of the announcement, which came just two hours before Real's Champions League match against Roma, calling the decision one that showed "little respect" for the club.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing