Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior has been handed a two-match suspension by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) following a controversial red card in the La Liga clash against Valencia last week.
The incident occurred in the 70th minute of the match when the Brazilian forward, frustrated by a physical challenge, shoved Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski in the back of the neck after the keeper had made a forceful challenge on him.
The altercation led to Vinícius receiving a direct red card from referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, forcing him to leave the field early.
Despite being reduced to 10 men, Real Madrid mounted a dramatic comeback to defeat Valencia 2-1 at the Mestalla, with goals from Antonio Rudiger and Joselu securing the points. The win propelled the Spanish giants to the top of the La Liga standings.
Vinícius, who has been in outstanding form for Los Blancos this season, will now miss the next two domestic fixtures, including crucial encounters against Las Palmas and Real Valladolid.
However, the ban will not affect his participation in the Spanish Super Cup, with Real Madrid set to play Mallorca in the semi-finals on Thursday in Saudi Arabia.
This suspension marks a temporary setback for the 24-year-old winger, who has been a key figure for Real Madrid since his arrival in 2018, contributing both goals and assists. His dynamic play and flair have been integral to the team’s attacking play this season.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti will now have to find ways to cope without the influential Brazilian for the upcoming La Liga games. With both a domestic title race and European commitments on the horizon, Los Blancos will need to adapt quickly to maintain their position at the top of the table.
While Vinícius serves his ban, the team will be hopeful that the Super Cup clash will offer a chance for the winger to make his return to competitive action.
The upcoming match against Mallorca will be particularly important as Real Madrid looks to continue their success on the international stage in what is expected to be a high-stakes tournament.
