Real Madrid News
Vinicius explains meaning behind his celebration against Man City: ‘Football gives you another chance’
Vinicius Jr. delivered when it mattered most, stepping up with a decisive performance to guide Real Madrid past Manchester City and into the Champions League quarter-finals.
The Brazilian forward, who walked away with the Man of the Match award after scoring twice in a 2-1 win, was at the heart of everything dangerous for his side.
But instead of focusing purely on his goals, Vinicius chose to comment on the collective performance and the importance of the result.
He admitted that while Madrid were effective, there was still room for improvement in his own finishing.
“It’s a very important match for our confidence. Since the start of the season, we’ve had a lot of good matches, but we haven’t been in control as much as we were in this tie.
“It was a tough match against a great team and a great coach, but we knew what we had to do.
“We took advantage of our opportunities. I missed a lot, but we didn’t need that many,” he explained.
Important win for Real Madrid
Looking beyond the match itself, Vinicius made it clear that this victory comes at a crucial point in the season, where momentum can define how far Real Madrid go in both La Liga and the Champions League.
“This is a crucial moment where all the players know the big matches are coming up.
“In this competition, at Real Madrid, everything changes, and we’re ready for more.”
The penalty goal
Another key talking point from the match was the penalty situation, especially given Vinicius had missed from the spot in the first leg.
Despite that, he took responsibility again, something he later explained came down to trust within the squad.
“I told Federico Valverde to take the first-leg penalty, but he didn’t want to. I told him again today, but he put his full trust in me,” he said.
Explaining the celebration
Beyond the goals and decisions on the pitch, Vinicius also had a personal point to make with his celebration.
After scoring, he mimicked a crying gesture in front of the Manchester City supporters, which was a direct response to last season’s banner aimed at him following the Ballon d’Or disappointment.
Addressing that moment and the meaning behind it, he concluded,
“That’s what football is good for, there’s always another chance. Here we are, we’ve won.
“We’re going to the quarterfinals with our fans, our family, all the players and the coaching staff, who have meant everything to us.”
Source: Real Madrid official website
Real Madrid News
Former Real Madrid manager defends Vinicius following red card vs Villarreal: ‘I don’t see intentionality’
Real Madrid resumed their campaign with a narrow win over Villarreal and three points, but it was yet another controversial affair due to refereeing decisions.
Vinicius Jr thought he had doubled Madrid’s lead against Villarreal, only for the goal to be chalked off and the Brazilian to be sent off in the same breath.
A VAR review showed Vinicius had tugged the hair of Villarreal’s Nathan Saliba in the build-up, prompting referee Isidro Diaz de Mera to void the goal and brandish a straight red.
The decision has split opinion, and one Madrid great has come out firmly in the forward’s corner.
Jorge Valdano on Vinicius’ red
Former real Madrid player and manager Jorge Valdano, speaking to Movistar, saw little malice in the incident.
“It’s an absolutely instinctive gesture. He feels they’re closing him in, he wants to get rid of it, and he does it in the most illegal way he can find,” he said (h/t Mundo Deportivo).
Drawing a distinction with more serious offences, he added: “It would make the difference between what is a spit, for example, and what this is.”
The former World Cup winner was unequivocal in his assessment of the act itself. “I don’t see any intentionality, the dirtyness of the action,” he concluded.
Ominous time for Vinicius
Valdano’s sympathy will do little to console Vinicius Jr., who might be staring at a lengthy suspension after the red card incident.
The Brazilian is already at risk of missing the Clasico on October 25, with the final disciplinary ruling still to come.
The referee’s report logs two separate matters. The first is the hair pull itself; the second is his reaction, described as continued loud protests and an aggressive approach to the official that forced Federico Valverde, Antonio Rudiger and others to restrain him.
Depending on how that conduct is classified, the suspension could stretch to two, three or four games. The one reprieve is that the red card is domestic, leaving Vinicius free for Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Roma.
