Diego Simeone was in no mood to fuel controversy after Atlético Madrid’s Spanish Super Cup semi-final defeat to Real Madrid, choosing restraint over retaliation following a heated touchline feud with Vinicius Junior.
In a match played at high emotional temperature in Jeddah, football often took a back seat as tensions between the Atlético coach and the Real winger simmered throughout the night.
The flashpoint emerged midway through the contest when Atlético’s bench reacted angrily to a Julián Álvarez effort that struck Toni Rüdiger’s hand.
As protests grew, Vinicius – who has Cameroonian heritage – turned toward the Atlético technical area with a mocking gesture, suggesting no penalty would be given. That moment sparked a personal exchange which would resurface repeatedly as the game unfolded.
Standing in the technical area, Simeone initially attempted to defuse the situation, urging Vinicius to focus on the match and ignore the surrounding noise.
Instead, the Brazilian doubled down, repeating his taunt with visible irony. That remark prompted Simeone’s pointed comment referencing Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez, a line that was later picked up by pitchside microphones and quickly circulated.
Asked about the exchange afterward, Simeone refused to be drawn in. “What happens on the field, ever since we were kids, stays there, nothing to comment on,” he said.
When pressed on the specific remark directed at Vinicius, the Atlético coach brushed it aside with humor, replying, “I don’t remember, I have a bad memory,” accompanied by a knowing smile.
The tension, however, extended beyond the two protagonists. Simeone confronted Real captain Dani Carvajal at half-time, appearing to reference Vinicius’ conduct toward Atlético’s staff before disappearing down the tunnel.
While the exchange stopped short of escalation, it underlined how deeply the episode had irritated the Argentine.
Matters flared again late in the match when Vinicius was substituted in the 81st minute. As the winger made his way off, words were once more exchanged, culminating in Vinicius challenging Simeone to “meet me” after the final whistle, an invitation the Atlético coach appeared more than willing to accept.
Despite the theatrics, Simeone remained firm in his post-match stance. For him, the confrontation belonged to the heat of competition, not the aftermath. I
