The 26-year-old was sent off following a VAR review that revealed he had pulled Villarreal defender Nathan Saliba’s hair during the build-up to a goal that was subsequently disallowed. The incident overshadowed Real Madrid’s victory at the Santiago Bernabéu on 10 October 2026.
Vinícius apologises after dismissal
Vinícius entered the match as a second-half substitute in the 52nd minute. Approximately 20 minutes later, he appeared to have doubled Real Madrid’s advantage after finding the net.
However, the celebrations were cut short when the video assistant referee intervened. After reviewing the footage, referee Isidro Díaz de Mera disallowed the goal and showed the Brazilian a red card for pulling Saliba’s hair.
Vinícius reacted angrily to the decision and had to be restrained by teammates as he left the field.
He later issued an apology on social media, writing: “Sorry to the team and the fans.”
Red card could cost him El Clásico appearance
The dismissal has placed Vinícius at risk of missing Real Madrid’s highly anticipated league meeting with Barcelona on 25 October at Camp Nou.
Under the Spanish Football Federation’s disciplinary regulations, pulling an opponent’s hair is treated as violent conduct. Article 130 provides for a suspension of between one and three matches for violent conduct that does not cause injury, depending on the circumstances.
The referee also recorded that Vinícius protested the decision in an aggressive manner and had to be held back by teammates. That reaction could influence the disciplinary committee’s assessment and potentially affect the length of his suspension.
The final punishment had not been confirmed in the initial reports, leaving Real Madrid waiting for the committee’s decision.
Real Madrid secure victory despite controversy
Despite the late controversy, Real Madrid held on to claim a 1–0 victory over Villarreal.
The result was important for the Spanish giants, but Vinícius’s dismissal became the main talking point after the final whistle. Manager José Mourinho, meanwhile, did not attend the mandatory post-match news conference.
Villarreal defender Juan Foyth acknowledged the seriousness of the incident, saying he did not believe Vinícius intended to hurt Saliba but considered the action worthy of a red card.
Madrid await disciplinary verdict
Vinícius’s potential absence would be a significant concern for Real Madrid ahead of their clash with Barcelona, one of the biggest fixtures on the Spanish football calendar.
The Brazilian will first serve the suspension imposed following his dismissal, with the number of matches he misses dependent on the disciplinary ruling.
Until the decision is announced, his availability for El Clásico remains uncertain. Real Madrid will hope the punishment does not rule out one of their most influential attacking players for the meeting with their biggest domestic rivals.