"Why do players excuse bad behaviour for passion?" - Ex-Premier League star identifies problem with Real Madrid star Vinicius' apology statement

Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has weighed in on the controversy around Vinicius Jr's behaviour at Real Madrid. The Brazilian was at the center of the storm during Los Blancos' El Clasico win over Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu last Sunday.

With Real Madrid securing a 2-1 lead in the game, head coach Xabi Alonso decided to replace Vinicius with Rodrygo in the 72nd minute. As soon as Vinicius' number went up for the substitution, drama unfolded. The forward was so frustrated by the decision that he allegedly told Alonso that he would rather leave the club than face this treatment from his manager.

In the wake of the controversy surrounding the incident, Vinicius issued an apology through an official statement. However, the 25-year-old refused to name Alonso in his statement, and instead, he apologised only to his teammates, club and the president Florentino Perez.

Discussing Vinicius' decision to leave out Alonso's name from his statement, Hislop opined that the player has done himself no favour by doing it. He stated that Vinicius is still one of the best players in the world and sometimes uses the energy off his behaviour as fuel to perform on the pitch.

But Hislop refused to agree that is the right approach by the player. He said on ESPN FC:

“As players [who once played the game], you want to sympathise [with Vinicius]. I thought Vinicius was playing well and I was as surprised as Vini himself about his number going up [for substitution]. During the game you are caught up in so much emotion that sometimes small things burn bigger than they should. That is the case with Vinicius here. "You could talk about some of his behaviour before as well, but one thing you cannot dispute is his talent. He sometimes feeds off that behaviour to become the player he is on the field. Let’s be honest, he is still one of the best players in the world. So you have to give him that leeway, which I think Xabi Alonso has done so far."

Hislop insisted that when the heat of the moment has passed, the player in question should always take ownership of his behaviour. The former Trinidad and Tobago international also went on to claim that if Vinicius was really 'passionate' about the club like he claims, he would actually back the decision made by the coach in the first place.

Hislop added:

“But when things cool down, you have to take ownership [for your behaviour]. Why do players excuse bad behaviour for passion? Come out and say, ‘I’m emotional, sometimes it works for me, sometimes it doesn’t’. But don’t come out and say, [I do this] ‘because I’m passionate about the club’. That doesn’t make any sense to me. "If you are that passionate about the club, whatever the club, and in this case, the manager, asks you to do, you accept. I’m trying to side with Vinicius [on this behaviour and statement] but he has just taken it away from anyone who is trying to see his side of the story."

Vinicius, who has been the subject of interest from Saudi Pro League clubs in the past, has yet to extend his contract with Real Madrid beyond the summer of 2027.

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Here's what Vinicius Jr expressed in his offical apology statement to Real Madrid

Addressing his behaviour in the win over Barcelona, Vinicius issued his apology through social media. The winger stated that he acted out in anger due to his passion for the club.

Vinicius also touched upon how he apologised in person during Real Madrid's training session. His statement read:

"Today I want to apologize to all the Madridistas for my reaction when I was substituted in the Clasico. Just as I have already done in person during today’s training, I also want to apologise again to my teammates, the club, and the president. "Sometimes passion gets the better of me because I always want to win and help my team. My competitive character stems from the love I feel for this club and everything it represents. I promise to keep fighting every second for the good of Real Madrid, as I have done since the first day."

Real Madrid and Vinicius face Valencia in LaLiga on Saturday before their Champions League showdown with Liverpool at Anfield next week.

Edited by Nived Zenith