Vinicius Junior faces ABANCA-RIAZOR jeers before La Liga campaign

Vinicius Junior was booed by Deportivo La Coruna supporters during Real Madrid’s friendly at ABANCA-RIAZOR on Wednesday evening, adding to the hostility the Brazil forward has faced at a number of Spanish grounds.

The reaction came before the return of competitive La Liga football and underlined the difficult atmosphere that has increasingly accompanied Vinicius Junior during away matches in Spain. The Real Madrid winger was repeatedly jeered by sections of the home crowd as the two sides met in their pre-season fixture.

The treatment from Deportivo La Coruna fans was not an isolated incident. Vinicius Junior has previously encountered similar hostility during matches against several La Liga clubs, including Valencia, Sevilla and Barcelona.

One of the most serious episodes occurred during Real Madrid’s visit to Valencia in 2023. The player was subjected to sustained abuse from sections of the crowd, including racist chants. The incident attracted widespread attention and became one of the most prominent examples of the abuse Vinicius Junior has experienced during his career in Spain.

Tensions were also evident when Real Madrid played Sevilla in May. Vinicius Junior was jeered by supporters during that match and responded with gestures towards the stands. His reaction prompted further exchanges between the player and the crowd, eventually requiring the referee to intervene.

The latest incident at ABANCA-RIAZOR therefore comes against a background of repeated confrontations involving the Real Madrid forward. His status as one of the club’s most influential attacking players has made him a prominent figure in matches involving opposing supporters, while his responses to hostile treatment have occasionally intensified the atmosphere.

Despite the controversy surrounding some of those incidents, Real Madrid have continued to demonstrate their confidence in the Brazil international. The club confirmed on 6 August that Vinicius Junior had signed a contract extension that will keep him at the Santiago Bernabeu until 30 June 2032.

His previous agreement had been due to expire next summer, but the new deal secures his future with the Spanish club for several more seasons. The announcement formalised Real Madrid’s commitment to a player who remains central to their plans, even as he continues to face hostility in certain stadiums.

The friendly against Deportivo La Coruna was played in the build-up to the new La Liga campaign, but the reaction from the stands showed that the tensions surrounding Vinicius Junior have not disappeared during the pre-season. Instead, the jeers at ABANCA-RIAZOR provided another reminder of the scrutiny directed at the forward whenever Real Madrid travel domestically.