Vinicius Junior must be punished for El Clasico conduct, says Sanchez Flores

Former Atletico Madrid and Valencia manager Quique Sanchez Flores has urged Real Madrid to take firm action against Vinicius Junior following the forward’s behaviour in the El Clásico win over Barcelona.

Vinicius, who has Cameroonian heritage, was criticised for his reaction after being substituted during Madrid’s 2-1 victory on Sunday, with Sanchez Flores arguing that such conduct damages the club’s public image.

Speaking on El Partidazo de Cope, the former Real Madrid full-back said the player’s actions have wider implications beyond the pitch.

“The Vinicius case is a cross-cutting one, which reaches the Real Madrid management primarily because of image,” he said.

“Vinicius is damaging the club’s image in front of millions of people, and it’s clear the club must take action,” he added.

“In this specific case, we’re talking about Vinicius’s disrespect towards a teammate who comes in and shares everything with you all day long during training.”

Sanchez Flores also emphasised that the incident could affect harmony in the dressing room and create unnecessary tension within the squad.

“I believe this affects the players,” he noted. “It’s something the captain and the team must resolve together.”

He warned that the winger’s attitude toward coach Xabi Alonso could have caused serious division had the result gone differently.

“Vinicius’s disrespect for the coach during the substitution calls into question not only the substitution itself, but also everything that happens afterward,” he stated.

“If the Clásico hadn’t finished 2-1 and instead finished 2-2, there would have been a division over whether Xabi Alonso or Vinicius were right,” Sanchez Flores added.

Vinicius has often been in the spotlight for his fiery temperament and emotional displays, but this latest episode has reignited debate about his discipline and leadership role at Real Madrid.