Vinicius Junior was filmed in the tunnel predicting that Valencia would “crap” in the second half of their clash with Real Madrid – a game in which the Brazilian would later be sent off.
Madrid turned things around against the former La Liga champions thanks to late goals from Luka Modric and Jude Bellingham, the latter of whom had earlier missed a penalty.
The result sealed a vital three points for Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid, who now sit top of the table ahead of next-door rivals Atletico Madrid. Barcelona are third in the table after a poor run of form in which they have lost three of their last five matches.
Vinicius said for his farewell on social media, although he received support from manager Ancelotti – the Italian said his slap on goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski “wasn’t red, it was yellow”.
Now it has emerged that before Madrid turned the game on its head, Vinicius – the 2024 runner-up. Golden ball and winner of the FIFA Men’s Player of the Year award – predicted in the tunnel that Valencia would implode if the 15-time Champions League winners scored.
“We have to respond with a goal” Kylian Mbappe said before Vinicius responded: “Of course, when they whistle for fouls. We score a goal and they take a shit. A little more, a little more and that’s it.”
Frustration for Madrid is that they should have got back into the game sooner than they did – Bellingham missed a penalty for the third time Los Blancos have missed from 12 yards this season.
“It bothers me that we missed three penalties,” Ancelotti admitted to reporters before adding: “I think I have to take responsibility for choosing who takes them.”
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