Alonso Condemns Simeone’s Conduct Towards vinícius Júnior in Supercopa Clash
Real Madrid is set to face Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final after a 2-1 victory over Atlético Madrid on Thursday, but the match was overshadowed by a heated exchange between Atlético manager Diego Simeone adn real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior.The incident has drawn sharp criticism from Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, who deemed Simeone’s behaviour as crossing a line of respect.
Real Madrid secured their place in the final thanks to goals from Federico Valverde – a stunning second-minute free kick – and Rodrygo. atlético Madrid managed a late consolation goal through Alexander Sørloth,but the result leaves them out of contention for the title,which will be decided on Sunday in Jeddah,Saudi Arabia.
The controversy erupted when television footage appeared to show Simeone repeatedly telling Vinícius that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was “going to get rid of him” during the match. He also gestured towards the crowd’s whistles directed at the forward as he was substituted.
“I didn’t like it,” Alonso stated to Movistar, when questioned about Simeone’s actions. “I saw that ‘cholo’ said something to him. For me,those things cross a line in terms of respect of a colleague… not anything goes.”
Alonso further emphasized the importance of sportsmanship in a subsequent press conference. “I try to be respectful with players of opposing teams,” he said. “when I saw and heard what [Simeone] said, I liked it even less. What he said isn’t an example of a good sportsman. You have to have respect for your opponents. Ther’s a limit.”
Both Simeone and Vinícius received yellow cards from the referee following a verbal altercation as Vinícius left the field. Simeone, though, did not deny making the comments about Perez and Vinícius’s future at the club, refusing to elaborate further when pressed.
“I don’t have anything to say,” the Atlético coach told Movistar. “I always said, as I was a player: things that happen on the pitch stay on the pitch. I have nothing more to say. I respect all of Real Madrid’s players, a lot.”
The tension wasn’t limited to the exchange with Vinícius. Simeone also engaged in heated discussions with Real Madrid substitute Dani Carvajal at halftime and with Valverde when Vinícius was withdrawn from the game. Valverde himself acknowledged the intensity of the derby, stating, “There are codes between footballers, coaches. It’s a part of football. It’s a derby.The critically importent thing is that it stays on the pitch. Football has to have that spark.”
In a lighter moment, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois described Valverde’s opening goal as “like something out of a cartoon,” praising the unexpected nature and precision of the strike. “It was a great goal,” Courtois told Real Madrid TV. “I saw it from behind. Fede has a great shot. Nobody expected a shot like that, around the outside of the wall.”
Adding to Real Madrid’s positive outlook ahead of the final, Alonso confirmed that kylian Mbappé, who missed the semifinal due to a knee sprain, is expected to join the team in Jeddah on Friday. “Kylian travels tomorrow,” Alonso said. “He’s much better, he’s trained, the feelings are good.”
The incident underscores the fierce rivalry between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, and raises questions about the boundaries of acceptable conduct on the touchline, even within the passionate context of a heated derby.
