Vinicius Junior vows to return as Real Madrid forward addresses suspension and Bernabeu jeers

Vinicius Junior says he is certain he will rediscover his best form for Real Madrid after admitting he is frustrated with his performances and acknowledging that the boos he has received at the Santiago Bernabeu have not helped him.

The Brazilian forward has been suspended for four matches by the Spanish Disciplinary Committee, ruling that means he will miss the league clasico against Barcelona on 25 October. He is also set to be unavailable for matches against Sevilla, Racing Santander and Valencia.

Vinicius said the timing of the suspension’s announcement had angered him, claiming he only learned about the decision when he arrived at the stadium.

“I think the punishment was announced at a bad time,” he told Marca. “They had the whole day to announce it, but I found out when I arrived at the stadium.”

He added that the regulation involved was new and had not been explained to Real Madrid’s players.

“The law is new, and officials from the Spanish league always come to explain the new rules to us, but they did not explain this particular rule,” he said.

Vinicius was sent off in the 73rd minute of Real Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday. He had pulled an opponent’s hair during an incident in which he scored, although the goal was disallowed because of the offence.

“I have never committed a violent act against another player,” said Vinicius. “I receive a lot of challenges, but I am always the one who gets the yellow card.”

Real Madrid’s win came despite the forward’s dismissal, while he said his reaction to being substituted earlier in the match reflected his desire to contribute rather than any wider issue.

“My level is normal, but I was angry after being taken off because I always want to perform well and help the team,” he said.

“I am angry with myself because I am not showing my best level. In the end, Vinicius always comes back, and I have no doubt that I will return.”

The 25-year-old also addressed the criticism from sections of the Bernabeu crowd, saying supporters were entitled to express their views because they paid for their tickets. However, he believes Real Madrid’s players perform better when they feel supported.

“Of course, the boos do not help me, but the fans pay for their tickets and have the right to express their opinion,” he said. “We play better when the fans are behind us. Jude plays better, Mbappe plays better and I also perform better.”

Vinicius appealed directly to the club’s supporters, pointing to his record since arriving in Spain as a young player.

“I will come back,” he said. “When I arrived here at a young age, many people mocked me, but in the end I scored more than 100 goals in a Real Madrid shirt.”

He said opposition fans’ hostility was understandable, but questioned the treatment he receives from officials.

“It is normal for fans of opposing teams to boo me because I am there to score goals against them, but I do not understand the referees’ attitude,” he said.

Vinicius also called for protection for players who bring something different to football, naming Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Atletico de Madrid’s Julian Alvarez.