Vini Jr faces El Clásico ban after red card against Villarreal
Vinícius Júnior, the Brazilian forward for Real Madrid, was shown a straight red card for pulling Nathan Saliba’s hair in the 1‑0 victory over Villarreal on Saturday 10, putting his participation in the 25 October El Clásico at Camp Nou in serious doubt.
Hair‑pull incident and red card
The incident occurred during a counter‑attack when Vini Jr. reached the box and appeared to score. VAR intervened, the footage showed him pulling Saliba’s hair, the goal was disallowed and he received a direct red. He protested vehemently and was held back by teammates before leaving the pitch. The incident was reported by Esporte News Mundo.
Vini Jr. had entered the game seven minutes into the second half after Real Madrid had been level at 0‑0. His presence sparked an offensive surge, with Yan Diomande opening the scoring for the hosts. After the annulled goal Vini celebrated by kissing the Real crest and hugging his colleagues, prompting José Mourinho to run to the touchline in celebration. The match was the eighth round of the 2026/27 LaLiga campaign, played at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Suspension prospects and club response
Spanish media report a 99 percent probability that the Brazilian will miss the upcoming El Clásico. The disciplinary committee is expected to hand down at least a two‑match suspension, though the club fears it could extend to three games. Real Madrid consider a one‑game ban unlikely and have expressed little optimism about a lighter sanction.
The club’s next LaLiga fixtures are Sevilla at home, Barcelona away, and Racing Santander away. Mourinho and the squad have already begun preparing for the Barcelona clash without Vini Jr. The team received nine cards in the Villarreal match, underscoring the disciplinary pressure they face. Real Madrid have stated they have little to do to mitigate the suspension.
Implications for the upcoming El Clásico
The El Clásico is scheduled for 25 October at the Camp Nou, marking the first classic of the 2026/27 season. Missing Vini Jr. would deprive Real Madrid of a key attacking outlet in one of Spain’s most anticipated fixtures. The absence is described as a significant blow to the club’s chances in the showdown.
Vini Jr. posted an apology on his social‑media accounts that night, addressing teammates and supporters. He acknowledged the hair‑pull and his reaction, expressing remorse for letting emotions take over. The apology aimed to quell any unrest within the dressing‑room ahead of the crucial match.
The final ruling rests with the Spanish Football Federation’s disciplinary committee, which will review the incident and the player’s conduct. Depending on its interpretation, the suspension could be longer than the projected two games. Real Madrid will have to adapt their attacking plans should the ban be confirmed.