Vinicius Junior: World’s Best At Tantrums

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid protests following his replacement with Xabi Alonso, head coach of Real Madrid, during the LaLiga EA Sports football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain, on October 26, 2025. (Photo by Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

NurPhoto via Getty Images

Not for the first time this season, Vinicius Junior threw up his arms in disgust for being withdrawn early from the game.

Given that this was a Clasico against Barcelona, the outburst was undoubtedly worse. As the world watched, the cameras trained on the Brazilian captured him shouting, “I’m leaving the team, it’s better if I leave, I’m leaving” as he stormed off the field.

Coach Xabi Alonso’s irritation was also visible to viewers of broadcaster DAZN, who captured him saying, “Come on, Vini, damn it,” his face filled with irritation.

The problem is hardly unexpected, although he missed out on the Ballon d’Or last year, the Brazilian has been wearing the ego of a man who thinks he’s the world’s best.

As new contract negotiations dragged on and his appearances under Alonso stuttered, the public displays of defiance have become more pronounced.

But the level of disgrace against Barcelona was significantly higher. In the postgame, he clashed with Lamine Yamal in what were some unsavory scenes.

Reports in the Spanish media on Monday initially suggested that Madrid would punish Vinicius Jr., although this was later downplayed.

“El Clásico is like that,” Vinicius told Real Madrid TV in the immediate aftermath. “There are a lot of things happening on and off the pitch.

“We try to maintain a balance, but it’s not always possible. We didn’t want to offend anyone, not Barca players, nor the fans.

“We know that when we step onto the pitch, we have to defend our side, and that’s how it was today.”

Having seen his behaviour on a video, he offered greater contrition in a subsequent public apology.

“Today I want to apologise to all the Madridistas for my reaction when I was substituted in the Clasico,” his statement read.

“Just as I have already done in person during today’s training, I also want to apologise again to my team-mates, 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.”

Not everyone is so critical of Vinicius. His former team-mate and long-time defender in public, Tony Kroos, stuck up for the Brazilian on his podcast Einfach mal Luppen.

“When you play an exceptional match, especially in a game like this, you’re not happy. I never liked being substituted either,” Kroos said.

“But to be fair, I’ve never gone straight to the dressing room afterward. You can always judge from the outside, but I like to keep in mind that, in reality, no one, except those who are there, in a Clasico and in front of 80,000 spectators with the score 2-1, knows that one wants anything but to leave.

“Nobody can judge or imagine that emotion. Or often, most of those who judge it simply cannot put themselves in his position.

“In the cold light of day and with a bit of distance, he’ll probably think: ‘Well, I can hold back the anger a little longer.’

“He could keep his anger to himself a little more. I understand his anger, but as you can see in the images, it’s not conveyed in the ideal way.

“Even so, I want to point out that it’s an emotionally exceptional situation to be down there in a match like that. I’ve experienced it many times, so you don’t always have to take everything so seriously.

“Coaches don’t usually do that either. Especially those who used to be players.”

Coach Alonso played it cool.

“Vini’s character? There are different personalities in any dressing room. Right now we will enjoy the win, then we’ll have a conversation, for sure,” he said in the aftermath of the debacle.

The Spanish coach is already proving to be a very different taskmaster from predecessor Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian was not to be taken lightly, but handled stars like Vinicius in a very different manner than Alonso.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, given the public outbursts of the Brazilian star, there have also been murmurings of discontent in the media from sources “close to players.”

The Athletic reported that one such source had said there was some disdain in the dressing room for Alonso.

“He thinks he’s Pep Guardiola, but for now he’s just Xabi,” the quote read.

“Some of them have won so much without doing these things that when these have been imposed on them, they have complained,

“It’s no secret, some cases have been public. It’s normal, especially with those who were untouchable.”

Vincius needs to have the form to back up his behaviour because, frankly, since missing out on the Balon d’Or, he hasn’t performed at all.

If not, he might have to find a home away from the Bernabau.