Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr has publicly apologised for his angry reaction to being substituted during Sunday’s 2-1 El Clásico win against Barcelona.
The Brazilian expressed his frustration by heading straight down the tunnel when replaced in the 72nd minute, reportedly stating, “Always me! I’m leaving the team! It’s better if I leave, I’m leaving.”
He was later involved in post-match unsavoury scenes with Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal.
In an apology posted on X (formerly Twitter), the 25-year-old expressed regret to the “Madridistas,” teammates, club, and president, blaming the outburst on passion and his “competitive character.”
“Sometimes passion gets the better of me because I always want to win and help my team… I promise to keep fighting every second for the good of Real Madrid.”
The statement notably omitted any mention of manager Xabi Alonso, fueling reports of a rift between the two.
The incident comes amid speculation about Vinicius’s long-term future, with reports suggesting Real Madrid would consider selling the player if a suitable offer is received.
