New footage has clarified the incident between Vinicius Junior and Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski before the latter was sent off during Real Madrid’s 2-1 La Liga win.
The Brazilian winger has faced numerous challenges at the Mestalla Stadium in the past.
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The 2024 Ballon d’Or runner-up was shown a red card for pushing the goalkeeper in the face, with a VAR review aiding the referee’s final decision.
Despite goals from Luka Modric and Jude Bellingham rescuing the game for Los Blancos, Vinicius Jr’s dismissal sparked much online debate.
Initially, one angle of the footage seemed to show Dimitrievski pulling Vinicius Jr’s braids, which led to his reaction.
However, clearer footage later revealed that the Valencia goalkeeper had actually grabbed Vinicius Jr’s shirt instead. Watch the two videos below:
???? ÚLTIMA HORA: Canal Plus Polonia ha revelado una toma en la que se aprecia como Dimitrievski, portero del Valencia, agarra del pelo a Vinícius Junior.
Haz RT porque está toma no se ha enseñado en España. pic.twitter.com/pSjYjM6E1k
— LaVozGalactica (@Lavozgalactica) January 3, 2025
En este ángulo se puede ver perfectamente cómo Dimitrievski agrede primero por la espalda y Vinicius actúa en defensa propia. Escándalo histórico. pic.twitter.com/ENYnwqoFj5
— gam (@mbagamdre) January 4, 2025
Dimitrievski received a yellow card for his role in provoking the £337,000-per-week winger.
The incident didn’t end there, as Vinicius Jr continued to protest the red card decision, with teammates and staff needing to restrain the furious Brazilian international.
Watch the footage below:
Soto Grado, the match referee, gave more information in his post-match report.
???? Vinicius Jr after being sent off against Valencia.@emeroig ???? pic.twitter.com/tEDJDwKtTG
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 3, 2025
According to Mundo Deportivo, the referee specified that Vinicius Jr was sent off for intentionally striking an opponent in the head when the ball was not in play:
“In the 79th minute the player (7) De Oliveira Do Nascimento, Vinicius Jose was expelled for the following reason: For hitting an opponent in the head deliberately, without the ball being in dispute, using a significant amount of force.
“Once he was sent off, the player had to be restrained by members of his club and taken to the changing rooms while his protests continued.”
Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has given his thoughts on the situation, claiming the Spanish giants will contest the decision.
He said: “It was not a red card for Vinicius Jr. We will appeal. The goalkeeper pushed him and Vini responded. It should’ve been a yellow for both and that’s it.”
