Vinicius Jr Could Face Four-Game Ban After Red Card Incident
Vinicius Jr might be in hot water after his red card against Valencia last Friday. The reigning La Liga champs fell behind early, thanks to Hugo Duro’s clinical 27th-minute goal. Despite dominating possession, Real Madrid couldn’t find their groove. Then, in the 79th minute, chaos erupted.
A Tense Moment Turns Sour
While appealing for a penalty, Vinicius collided with Valencia’s goalkeeper, Stole Dimitrievski. The contact—initiated from behind—sparked an intense reaction from the Brazilian winger, who struck Dimitrievski in the neck.
Referee Soto Grado didn’t hesitate. A quick check of the pitch-side monitor confirmed his decision: a straight red card for Vinicius.
How Bad Will the Ban Be?
Under Article 103 of the RFEF Disciplinary Code, aggressive behavior means a potential four-game suspension. If deemed less severe, the ban might only last two or three matches. Either way, Real Madrid could feel the impact of his absence.
Modric and Bellingham Save the Day
Despite being down a player, Real Madrid didn’t give up. Luka Modric clawed one back in the 85th minute, slotting home a sharp pass from Jude Bellingham. Then, in injury time, Bellingham pounced on a defensive blunder to seal a thrilling 2-1 comeback.
A Look at Vinicius Jr’s Disciplinary Record
Vinicius isn’t exactly known for trouble on the pitch. This was his first red card in seven years at Real Madrid. The only other time he saw red was for Real Madrid Castilla in a match against Celta B. That one came from a second yellow for simulation.
Across 69 appearances, he’s picked up just nine yellow cards. Even on the international stage with Brazil, he’s managed to keep his nose clean, receiving only six yellow cards across various competitions.
A Star Despite the Controversy
Vinicius has been one of Madrid’s brightest stars. Last year, he narrowly missed out on the Ballon d’Or but took home The Best FIFA Men’s Player award instead. This season, he’s already scored 13 goals and delivered nine assists in just 21 matches, holding his ground even with Kylian Mbappé now in the mix.
