Vinicius Junior was kicked by Alex Calatrava in the 4th minute of the match, which Real Madrid won 2-1. José Mourinho, the Real Madrid coach, defended Vinicius Junior after the incident, stating that the player is being subjected to harassment. Mourinho claimed that Vinicius Junior is being treated unfairly and that the team is still in the era of harassment.
Mourinho's comments come as no surprise, given his previous criticism of Vinicius Junior for disrespecting Portuguese supporters. In a 2026-02-17 match between Benfica and Real Madrid, Vinicius Junior was insulted with racist comments by Gianluca Prestianni. Mourinho had previously criticized Vinicius Junior for his behavior, stating that he should be careful when celebrating goals.
The incident has sparked a debate about the treatment of Vinicius Junior by his opponents. Mourinho's comments suggest that the player is being unfairly targeted and that the team is still in a era of harassment. The incident highlights the ongoing issues of racism and harassment in football.
Real Madrid's victory over Espanyol Barcelone was a significant one, with the team coming from behind to win 2-1. The match was marked by controversy, with Vinicius Junior being targeted by opponents. The incident has sparked a debate about the treatment of Vinicius Junior and the ongoing issues of racism and harassment in football.
The next step in this incident is unclear, but it is likely that the matter will be addressed by the relevant authorities.