Quique Sanchez Flores Accuses Vinicius Of Damaging Real Madrid’s Image After El Clasico Drama

When Real Madrid Beat Barcelona In El Clasico, The Headlines Were Supposed To Be About The Football — Not The Fallout.

But once again, Vinicius Jr found himself in the eye of the storm, this time for his fiery reaction after being substituted.

Former Valencia manager Quique Sanchez Flores didn’t mince words when speaking about the Brazilian’s behaviour on El Partidazo de Cope, saying it was “unprofessional” and harmful to Real Madrid’s image.

“The Vinicius case is a cross-cutting one, which reaches the Real Madrid management primarily because of image,” Flores said. “Vinicius is damaging the club’s image in front of millions of people, and it’s clear the club must take action.”

The incident in question came late in Madrid’s 2–1 victory over Barcelona, when Vinicius appeared visibly upset as Xabi Alonso decided to substitute him. The forward’s reaction, directed at both his manager and a teammate entering the pitch, sparked fresh debate about his maturity and discipline.

Flores, who has managed clubs like Valencia, Getafe, and Espanyol, believes such behaviour creates tension within the squad:

“We’re talking about Vinicius’s disrespect towards a teammate who comes in and shares everything with you all day long during training. I believe this affects the players. It’s something the captain and the team must resolve together.”

While Vinicius remains one of Real Madrid’s most electrifying players, his attitude continues to draw criticism — from fans, pundits, and even former coaches.

As Los Blancos chase domestic and European glory this season, the question remains: Can Vinicius channel his passion without crossing the line?

Because for all his brilliance, even Real Madrid’s biggest stars aren’t bigger than the club’s image.

---

Sports Market International — your trusted destination for football updates, sports market insights, and exclusive analysis from the world’s biggest leagues. Stay tuned to the best sport blog for everything happening in the sports market today.