Vinicius Jr. once again captured headlines during Real Madrid’s match against Valencia at Mestalla, but this time for all the wrong reasons. The Brazilian winger, who has previously faced controversies in this stadium, received a red card in Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory.

This marked his second dismissal at Mestalla, a venue where he has also been noted for his stance against racism. Despite Real Madrid’s triumph, Vinicius found himself at the center of controversy due to his conduct on the field.

In the second half, he reacted aggressively to Valencia’s goalkeeper, Stole Dimitrievski, after being cautioned for his persistent complaints about a challenge. However, this time, his response escalated beyond typical protests. With no ball in play, Vinicius shoved his hands into Dimitrievski’s face, prompting the referee to issue a red card.

Referee Soto Grado consulted VAR before confirming Vinicius’s expulsion. In the match report, as cited by Mundo Deportivo, Grado explained that Vinicius was sent off for deliberately striking an opponent in the head with significant force, while the ball was not in dispute.

“In the 79th minute, player (7) De Oliveira Do Nascimento, Vinicius Jose, was expelled for hitting an opponent in the head deliberately, without the ball being in play, using considerable force,” the report stated.

After the red card, Vinicius had to be restrained by club staff while he continued to protest.

Despite the dismissal, Real Madrid secured the win, but attention quickly turned to the incident involving their star player. Coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that the club would appeal the decision, seeking to reduce the suspension’s length. They believe the red card was unjust and that Vinicius should not have been sent off.

Vinicius’s actions have reignited discussions about his discipline. While his talent on the pitch is undeniable, his disciplinary issues continue to cast a shadow over his performances.