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Vinícius hits out at refereeing: “He doesn’t call it because it’s me — clear penalty”
A controversial incident inside the box ignited Real Madrid’s anger and produced a Vinícius quote that sums up the refereeing tension once again surrounding the Brazilian.
A moment that sparked controversy at Mendizorroza
Real Madrid’s win over Alavés did not come without controversy. After the 2–1 goal, a play involving Vinícius Júnior inflamed tempers within the Madrid camp and once again shifted the spotlight onto refereeing decisions. The Brazilian beat two defenders with pace and power, entered the penalty area, and went down after a clear contact from Tenaglia, who halted his run just as he looked set to go one-on-one.
The incident prompted immediate protests on the pitch and from the Real Madrid bench. For many, the contact met every requirement to be called a penalty, at a crucial moment that could have given Xabi Alonso’s side breathing room in an intense and demanding match.
No penalty, no VAR review
Despite the apparent clarity of the challenge, referee García Verdura chose not to award a penalty. Even more striking was the lack of intervention from VAR, led by González Fuertes, who did not recommend a review of the play, allowing the incident to pass without consequence.
The decision deepened the sense of frustration within Real Madrid, who had already endured difficult stretches in the match and saw a key opportunity to put the game to bed disappear without even a screen review.
Xabi Alonso’s backing and Vinícius’ reaction
The most revealing moment came when Vinícius was substituted. As he left the pitch, the Brazilian exchanged words with Xabi Alonso, who firmly backed his player with a blunt: “It was crystal clear.” Vinícius’ response, captured by Movistar’s cameras, was even more direct and filled with frustration:
“He doesn’t call it because it’s me — clear penalty.”
The quote encapsulated the player’s feeling of once again being singled out and disadvantaged by refereeing decisions in decisive situations.
A debate reopened in LaLiga
The episode places Vinícius Júnior back at the center of the refereeing debate in LaLiga, a competition in which the Brazilian has repeatedly voiced concerns about unequal treatment on the pitch. Beyond the final scoreline, the incident left lingering discontent within Real Madrid and reignited discussions around refereeing criteria and VAR usage in key moments.
For Vinícius, the feeling was unmistakable. And this time, he didn’t hold back.
