Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior is once again at the center of controversy — and this time, former Valencia coach Quique Sanchez Flores has called him out for “damaging the club’s image” through his recent behavior.
Speaking on El Partidazo de Cope, Flores didn’t hold back his criticism of the Brazilian forward’s attitude during Real Madrid’s El Clásico victory over Barcelona last Sunday. The 23-year-old reportedly reacted poorly after being substituted, drawing the attention of cameras and sparking discussions among fans and pundits alike.
“The Vinicius case is a cross-cutting one, which reaches the Real Madrid management primarily because of image,” Flores said.
“Vinicius is damaging the club’s image in front of millions of people, and it’s clear the club must take action.”
Flores added that Vinicius showed disrespect not only to his coach but also to his teammates — an act he believes could unsettle the harmony within the squad.
“In this specific case, we’re talking about Vinicius’s disrespect towards a teammate who comes in and shares everything with you all day long during training,” he explained.
The former Valencia manager stressed that Real Madrid’s captain and senior players must step in to address the issue before it worsens:
“I believe this affects the players. It’s something the captain and the team must resolve together.”
While Vinicius remains one of Real Madrid’s brightest talents, his emotional reactions on the pitch continue to divide opinion — raising questions about discipline and professionalism at one of the world’s most prestigious clubs.
