Vinicius Junior has vowed to rediscover his best form after addressing criticism from supporters at the Santiago Bernabéu and a four-match La Liga suspension that will force him to miss El Clásico against Barcelona.
The Brazilian spoke candidly after Real Madrid’s dramatic 4-3 Champions League comeback victory over Roma, acknowledging his frustration with his performances and the whistles he has received from sections of the home crowd.
Despite the criticism, Vinicius remains confident that he can overcome the difficult period and return to the level that has made him one of Real Madrid’s most influential attacking players.
Vinicius Responds to Bernabéu Boos
Vinicius admitted that the negative reaction from some supporters has affected him, although he recognised their right to express their opinions.
“The boos do not help me, but the fans pay for their tickets and have the right to express their opinion,” he said.
The Brazilian also explained that the team performs better when supporters create a positive atmosphere, pointing to the influence of teammates Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé.
“We play better when the fans are behind us. Jude plays better, Mbappé plays better and I also perform better,” he added.
Vinicius suggested that his seniority and leadership responsibilities may make him a more obvious target for criticism. Nevertheless, he would prefer the frustration to be directed at him rather than younger members of the squad.
“I’d rather they boo me than one of our young players,” he said.
The comments highlight the strained relationship between the forward and sections of the Bernabéu crowd, where whistles have become a recurring feature during a season of inconsistent performances.
‘Vinicius Always Comes Back’
Despite his frustration, the Brazilian insisted he has the confidence and determination to rediscover his best form.
“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,” he said.
The forward also recalled the doubts he faced when he first arrived at Real Madrid as a teenager, when critics questioned his ability to score goals consistently.
Since then, he has scored more than 100 goals for the Spanish giants, establishing himself as a key figure in their attack.
His latest comments suggest he remains determined to silence his critics through performances rather than public arguments.
Four-Match Ban Rules Vinicius Out of El Clásico
Vinicius’ difficult spell has been compounded by a four-match suspension following his red card during Real Madrid’s 1-0 La Liga victory over Villarreal on October 10.
The Brazilian came off the bench and appeared to have scored before VAR intervened after footage showed him pulling the hair of Villarreal defender Nathan Saliba. The goal was disallowed, and Vinicius was sent off.
He also received an additional sanction for aggressive protests towards the referee, resulting in a total four-match ban.
The suspension is set to rule him out of fixtures against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander and Valencia, including the highly anticipated El Clásico on October 25.
His absence against Barcelona represents a significant setback for Real Madrid, who will have to find alternative attacking solutions during the suspension.
Mourinho Questions the Disciplinary Decision
The suspension has also attracted criticism from José Mourinho, who publicly questioned the process surrounding the announcement.
Mourinho described the process as “shameless”, expressing his frustration at the timing of the decision in the context of a Spanish club that had just secured points.
Vinicius, meanwhile, said he only learned about the ban when he arrived at the stadium ahead of the Champions League match against Roma.
The episode has added another layer of controversy to an already difficult period for the Brazilian, whose disciplinary issues and performances have attracted considerable attention.
Real Madrid Fans Remain Divided
Vinicius’ relationship with the Bernabéu has been strained for some time, with inconsistent performances and earlier tensions surrounding his contract contributing to the atmosphere.
Although he ultimately renewed his contract, some supporters have continued to express dissatisfaction with his displays.
However, the forward has also received strong backing from sections of the fanbase. Some supporters gathered outside the stadium to cheer him following the Villarreal incident, demonstrating that opinion remains divided.
His determination to return to form could be crucial in rebuilding his relationship with the supporters.
Real Madrid Prepare for Life Without Vinicius
With Vinicius unavailable for the next stretch of league fixtures, Real Madrid will need other attacking players to step forward.
Options such as Endrick and Arda Güler could receive greater opportunities after making important contributions as substitutes in the dramatic Champions League comeback against Roma.
Their performances may help Madrid navigate the Brazilian’s absence, particularly with the clash against Barcelona approaching.
For Vinicius, the focus will be on using the suspension period to regroup and prepare for his return.
The forward has faced criticism before and remains convinced that he can overcome his current struggles. Whether he can rediscover his best form and win back the full support of the Bernabéu will be one of the key storylines surrounding Real Madrid in the coming weeks.
Esther Afriyie Kumah is the Digital Media & Operations Manager and a writer AL Media Sports, the sports division of AL Media Group. She specializes in sports journalism, content and video production, covering Premier League, Champions League, La Liga, and African football with in-depth match reports, tactical analysis, player ratings, and expert insights.