Real Madrid’s victory over Villarreal has left a disciplinary cloud hanging over Vinicius Junior, with the Brazilian now at serious risk of missing the Clásico against Barcelona at Spotify Camp Nou on 25 October.
Vinicius was sent off in the second half after pulling Saliba’s hair, an incident reviewed by referee Díaz de Mera on VAR. The dismissal came after a goal involving the Madrid forward had been ruled out because of his actions. Madrid nevertheless protected their advantage, earned through Diomande’s goal, until the final whistle.
The key issue is likely to be the wording of the referee’s report. Díaz de Mera recorded that Vinicius was dismissed in the 73rd minute for pulling an opponent’s hair while the ball was in play but was not being contested by either player.
That description could bring a two-match ban under recent Spanish disciplinary precedent, rather than the single-game suspension that can apply when the ball is close enough to be played.
A report that could decide the Clásico
The official also noted Vinicius’s conduct after the red card. The report stated that, while play was stopped and he remained on the pitch, the forward continued to protest loudly and approached the referee’s area in an aggressive manner. Team-mates had to hold him back, although the official said no specific words could be identified.
Any additional punishment will depend on whether disciplinary authorities consider that post-dismissal behaviour to warrant a separate sanction. The hair-pulling offence itself already places the Barcelona trip in doubt.
Recent cases point towards two matches
In May 2026, then-Mallorca player Johan Mojica received a two-match suspension after being dismissed against Levante for pulling Roger Brugué’s hair when the ball was out of play. The disciplinary ruling treated it as an act against an opponent away from the contest.
Ferran Torres was similarly banned for two games in January 2023 following an altercation with Atlético Madrid defender Stefan Savic. Although the ball was technically in play, it was not within playing distance when Torres pulled Savic’s hair.
Those cases closely resemble the language used in Vinicius’s report. If the same interpretation is applied, Madrid would be without one of their principal attacking figures for two fixtures, including the season’s first league meeting with Barcelona.
There is a contrasting example from May 2026 involving Córdoba’s Diego Percan, whose punishment was expected to be one match after he pulled Izan’s hair. In that case, the ball was close enough for the incident to be considered part of a playable situation.
For Vinicius, the report’s emphasis that the ball was not being disputed makes that lighter outcome appear less likely. Madrid now await the disciplinary decision, with the road to Barcelona potentially running without him.
