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News
- 12 hours ago
Diego Simeone apologises to Vinicius Junior for touchline taunts in Madrid derby
Martin Macdonald
- 12 Jan 2026 10:01 CST
- 3 min read
Nieuws
Diego Simeone has apologised to Vinicius Junior for his antics during the Madrid derby last week.
In the Spanish Supercopa semi-final in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, Real Madrid progressed to the final after being Atletico 2-1 thanks to goals from Federico Valverde and Rodrygo.
It was a spat between Simeone and Vinicius Junior that went viral, though, as when the Brazilian was making his way off the pitch as a substitute, he looked to confront the man in the opposition dugout.
The Atletico head coach had apparently been taunting Vincius throughout the match and suggested that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was going to sell him.
Vinicius Jr wasn't happy with Diego Simeone 😬
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/kMtgNcuL1M— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 8, 2026
“Vini! Vini! Florentino is going to sell you – remember I told you!” the Argentine is said to have told the Real Madrid star, according to COPE.
When Vini Jr was substituted, it is claimed that Simeone told the attacker to listen to the boos from the Real Madrid fans in the stadium.
After the game, speaking to Movistar, Madrid boss Xabi Alonso said: “I didn’t like it. I saw that Cholo had said something to him, and for me, that crosses a line of respect.
“Then I saw he said and I don’t like it when you speak to my team like that. I’m always respectful to players on the other team. It’s not acceptable.”
The former Inter and Atletico midfielder has now apologised to Vini and Perez.
"I would like to apologise to Mr Florentino and Mr Vinicius for the incident they witnessed," said Simeone.
"It was wrong of me to put myself in that position, and I accept that it was wrong. The team that wins deserves to go through; they deserved to go through."
Asked if his behaviour had crossed a line, he added: "I apologise, but I do not ask for forgiveness. I have nothing more to add."
Madrid went on to lose the final 3-2 to Barcelona on Sunday.
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