Jorge Valdano, former Real Madrid player and commentator, expressed his surprise and disapproval after the direct expulsion that Brazilian forward Vinicius Júnior received in the match against Villarreal. The incident, which consisted of pulling French defender Saliba's hair, led to the referee's intervention and the player's removal from the field in the second half.
The match, played at the San Mamés stadium, ended with a 3‑0 victory for Real Madrid. Vinicius' expulsion occurred in the 57th minute, when the forward, after being taken out of the penalty area, approached Saliba and pulled his hair with a force that the referee considered dangerous enough. The referee, following FIFA regulations on unsportsmanlike conduct, decided to send the player to the bench with no possibility of return.
Valdano, who had commented on the match on Movistar+, described the action as “an absolutely instinctive gesture.” According to him, the pull did not have a clear intention of harming the opponent, but was perceived as an impulsive reaction to the pressure of the game. “I don't see the intentionality, the dirtiness of the action,” he said, emphasizing that the behavior was more a lack of discipline than a deliberate act of aggression.
Real Madrid, who are at the top of the LaLiga table, were largely unaffected by Vinicius' departure as the team had a deep squad and counted on the presence of their other forwards. The club's coach, Carlo Ancelotti, maintained the offensive tactics and managed to consolidate the advantage with two goals from Karim Benzema and a third from Rodrygo.
Villarreal, for its part, was frustrated by the expulsion of its defender, who had been key in the team's defense. The club's coach, Unai Emery, indicated that the expulsion was a turning point that allowed Real Madrid to extend its lead. The match concluded without further incidents, and Real Madrid remains in first position with 86 points, just one point ahead of second place.
With the season progressing, Real Madrid will have to adjust its lineup for the next matchday, since Vinicius will remain suspended for one game. The club will have to rely on the solidity of its defense and the creativity of its midfielders to continue dominating the league and advance in the Champions League.