Real Madrid secured their place in the 2026 Spanish Super Cup final with a hard-fought 2-1 win over city rivals Atlético Madrid in the semifinal played in Jeddah. However, the on-field result was eclipsed by a tense sideline confrontation involving Vinícius Júnior and Atlético manager Diego Simeone.
The match at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium saw Real Madrid take early control through goals from Federico Valverde and Rodrygo, putting them firmly in command. Atlético responded with a header from Alexander Sørloth, but Real held their nerve to book a final clash against Barcelona.
The flashpoint occurred in the 81st minute, when Vinícius Jr. was substituted. As the Brazilian winger walked toward the bench, television cameras captured Simeone directing remarks at him. According to broadcast reports, Simeone said:
“Florentino is going to kick you out,”
a reference to Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez.
Vinícius reacted visibly, leading to a brief confrontation near the touchline. The Real forward was later shown a yellow card as tempers flared, prompting Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso to step in.
After the match, Alonso strongly criticised Simeone’s behaviour, stating that the Atlético manager had “crossed the line.”
“I heard what Simeone said to Vini, and I didn’t like it.
You cannot talk like that. Some things cross the line. It’s unacceptable and shows a lack of fair play,” Alonso said.
Simeone, however, played down the incident in his post-match comments, insisting that “what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch”, and declined to explain his remarks further.
The incident has reignited debate around Vinícius Jr., who has frequently found himself at the centre of controversy in high-profile matches. Recent speculation linking the Brazilian to clubs in the Premier League and Saudi Pro League has also resurfaced, though Real Madrid officials have consistently dismissed any exit talks.
Despite the controversy, Real Madrid will now turn their attention to the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona, scheduled for Sunday, January 11, setting up another high-stakes El Clásico showdown.
ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ମହାନ ନେତା, ରାଜ୍ୟର ନିର୍ମାତା ଭାବେ ପରିଚିତ ବିଜ...
ପୁରୀରେ ଖୋଣ୍ଡାଲାଇଟ୍ ପଥର ବ୍ୟବହାରକୁ ନେଇ ଏକ ନୂତନ ବିବାଦ...
ସୋମବାର ଦିନ ପବିତ୍ର ଅକ୍ଷୟ ତୃତୀୟା ପାଳନ କରାଯିବାକୁ ଯାଉଛ...
ବେରହାମପୁର ରେଳୱେ ଷ୍ଟେସନ ରେ ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଅଭିଯାନ ସମ...
ଓଡିଶାରେ ପୁଣିଥରେ ଆଳୁ ଅଭାବ ଓ ଦର ବୃଦ୍ଧି ନେଇ ଚିନ୍ତା ବଢ...
ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ରାଜନୈତିକ ଅଧିକାର ଓ ଭବିଷ୍ୟତ ସୁରକ୍ଷା ପାଇଁ ବିଜ...
ନୂଆଦିଲ୍ଲୀ: ୧୧ ବର୍ଷର ଦୀର୍ଘ ରାଜନୈତିକ ପ୍ରଭାବ ପରେ ବିଜେ...
