Vinicius Junior was filmed in the tunnel predicting Valencia would “poop” in the second half of their clash with Real Madrid – a game in which the Brazilian was later sent off.
Madrid turned things around against the former La Liga champions thanks to late goals from Luka Modric and Jude Bellingham, the latter of whom had previously missed a penalty.
The result secured an important three points for Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid, who now top the table ahead of neighborhood rivals Atlético Madrid. Barcelona sit third in the table after a dismal run of form that has seen them lose three of their last five games.
Vinicius apologized on social media for his sending off despite receiving the support of coach Ancelotti – the Italian said his hit on goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski was “not a red but a yellow”.
It has now emerged that before Madrid turned the game on its head, Vinicius – the 2024 Ballon d’Or runner-up and winner of FIFA’s Best Men’s Player award – predicted Valencia would implode if the The Champions League winner scored a goal 15 times.
“We have to answer with a goal,” said Kylian Mbappe, before Vinicius replied: “Of course, if they blow the whistle for fouls. We score a goal and they wreck themselves. Just a little more, a little more” and that’s it.”
The frustration for Madrid was that they should have gotten back into the game sooner than they did – Bellingham’s missed penalty was the third time Los Blancos have missed from 12 yards this season.
“It bothers me that we missed three penalties,” Ancelotti admitted to reporters, adding: “I think I have to take responsibility for deciding who takes them.”