Vinicius Jr accuses referees of targeting him after four-game La Liga ban rules him out of El Clasico

Vinícius Júnior has accused referees of singling him out for punishment after being handed a four-game La Liga suspension that will rule him out of El Clasico, with the ban announced just hours before Real Madrid’s Champions League match at Roma on Wednesday.

The punishment stemmed from a red card for pulling an opponent’s hair and for protesting against the referee. Madrid went on to win 4-3 at Roma in a come-from-behind victory, with Vinícius substituted in the 59th minute as the team rallied from 3-1 down.

“I don’t recall any other player receiving a four-match suspension. I tried to move the player in front of me out of the way, and I ended up getting caught in his hair,” Vinícius said after the match. “That was it – a red card – which is why I was so surprised. I didn’t say a single offensive word to the referee that would warrant a four-match ban. But when it comes to Vini, it’s all too easy.”

The Brazilian forward argued that creative players deserve greater protection from officials, citing Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez as others who face similar treatment. “I’ve seen the stats: I’ve been on the receiving end of 500 fouls, yet that has only resulted in five red cards. In the end, the yellow cards always seem to go to Vini, to the attacking players. Defenders are allowed to foul me the entire match but in the end it’s me who gets the card.”

Real Madrid coach José Mourinho was equally critical of the timing of the suspension announcement. “Do you think it’s normal for a player from a Spanish team, preparing for an important match that’s also crucial for Spanish soccer, to find out about his four-match suspension just two hours before kickoff?” Mourinho said. “We were on the bus about to arrive at the stadium when we found out… they’ve started doing things without any shame.”

Vinícius also acknowledged a dip in personal form, having not scored for Madrid since August, but insisted his confidence remains intact. “I’m working to get back to my best as soon as possible. I know I’m not at my peak right now, but I’ve been through worse, and even when people have doubted me, I’ve always stood up for this club.”

The four-match ban means Vinícius will sit out one of the season’s most high-profile fixtures, with El Clasico against Barcelona now approaching without Madrid’s most dynamic attacking threat available to Mourinho.