As the UEFA Champions League knockout stages heat up, Real Madrid’s dynamic forward, Vinicius Jr., has voiced his admiration for European game officials, subtly critiquing La Liga’s refereeing in the process. The showdown between Real Madrid and their fierce rivals, Atletico Madrid, at Santiago Bernabéu, was the backdrop for his comments.
Vinicius Jr., known for his on-field theatricality, expressed his appreciation for European referees, lauding them for their proactive role in safeguarding players who add flair to the game. The 24-year-old Brazilian star stated, “Referees in Europe are more supportive of players who put on a show and that is important for us. They will punish people who kick us and stop the game. We don’t like to talk about them, but it is important for us that they whistle well.”
Notably, Vinicius Jr. has had a contentious relationship with officials, particularly in Spain, due to the frequency of fouls he receives, which he attributes to his stand-out skills. This has led to several disagreements and exchanges with referees during games, often landing him in hot water as football rules dictate that only team captains are allowed to interact with the officiating team during a match.
When quizzed about his on-field reactions and apparent frustration when fouls against him are not recognized, Vinicius Jr. revealed that he is actively working on improving his conduct. He candidly shared, “When the referees don’t give the other players a card, but they give me one for protesting for the first time. It’s normal during the game to be excited and want to win. I do a lot of things I shouldn’t do, but I’m improving with each game. The players transmit their calmness to me and I’m doing better. People forget that I’m only 24 years old and that I have a lot to learn.”