Most penalized and most mistaken
Vinicius Jr. remains at the center of the storm as Real Madrid’s main attacking force. He extended his tally with another goal, bringing his season total to 20 goals and 11 assists. The Brazilian forward had a prolific season last year, finishing with 22 goals and 20 assists, and now, if his current form holds, he looks set to surpass that mark. His recent streak shows his imprint on La Liga, with six straight goals at home in the league, while his away goal drought stretches back to August 28, 2022. This surge underscores his role as Madrid’s most driven and consistent threat, even as the club navigates the challenges of a competitive campaign. Cited: match reports and season statistics from football press outlets.
Most penalized and most mistaken
The Brazilian forward continues to stand out for the crop of fouls directed at him, drawing many yellow cards and often finding himself at odds with the referees. Vinicius sits atop the league’s dribbling charts with 72 take-ons and leads in being fouled 89 times. Yet he has also collected eight bookings, with three coming in clashes involving Baena and Carmona. He has endured the most fouls against him in the league, tallying 53. In a win against Espanyol, he picked up a yellow card that sparked a chorus of protests from his coach and the stands. The atmosphere at the Bernabéu turned tense as voices from the crowd raised concerns about officiating, adding a charged backdrop to the match. The episode reflects the ongoing tension around officiating and its impact on the game. Cited: disciplinary and officiating summaries from match analyses.
After another yellow card in the Espanyol game sparked by contentious refereeing, Vinicius spoke up about the penalties he receives. He argued that referees should call fouls consistently, asserting that a first foul often triggers a yellow card for him while similar offenses by opponents go unpunished until late in the match. He emphasized a desire for fairness on the field and a refocusing on the actual fouls committed rather than the reaction to them. Notes from this moment circulated among fans and analysts, highlighting the debate around discipline and protection for star players. Cited: post-match comments and analyses.
Carlo Ancelotti weighed in to defend his forward, noting that most of Vinicius’s bookings stem from protests during the game rather than confrontations with opponents. He praised Vinicius’s conduct against Espanyol, describing the winger as exemplary for staying composed and not engaging in disputes on the pitch. The coach conceded that the number of yellow cards Vinicius has picked up is higher than ideal, but he also pointed to the broader context of how refereeing has shaped the moment. This perspective from Madrid’s manager adds a layer of interpretation to the rising discipline figures and reinforces the player’s value to the squad. Cited: post-match remarks from Carlo Ancelotti and corresponding match analyses.