Following the uproar around Vinicius at the Super Cup, Simeone has broken his silence, causing more buzz in the Spanish football community.
Coach Diego Simeone became the focus of Spanish media attention by publicly apologizing to Vinicius Jr. and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez. This move came ahead of the Copa del Rey match between Atletico Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna, ending a tense period after the Spanish Super Cup semi-final.
During the match between the two capital city teams, Simeone was caught on camera repeatedly provoking Vinicius from the technical area. The Argentine coach kept referring to the recent whistles and jeers directed at the Brazilian star by fans at Santiago Bernabeu. whistling and booing in recent times, which intensified the already tense atmosphere.
Not stopping there, Simeone made a shocking statement hinting at Vinicius' future at Real Madrid. He bluntly told the opposing player: “Florentino will fire you, mark my words.” This comment quickly sparked outrage and was considered beyond professional limits.
Those words provoked a strong reaction from Vinicius right on the pitch, while Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso also showed visible anger. Inside Real Madrid, they regarded Simeone’s behavior as disrespectful, damaging the image of the match and escalating tensions between the two capital clubs.
After several days of reflection, Simeone chose to face the public with a formal apology. The 54-year-old strategist admitted his mistake, stating clearly to the press: “I want to apologize to Mr. Florentino and Mr. Vinicius for what they had to witness.”
He also took personal responsibility, emphasizing: “I acted inappropriately and fully acknowledge it was a mistake.” This apology was seen as a necessary step to ease the tension between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.
However, Simeone also clarified his stance by adding: “I apologize, but I do not ask for forgiveness. I have nothing more to say.” This brief yet firm statement showed Simeone’s willingness to accept fault but no intention to prolong the dispute off the field.
Vinicius Jr. lost his temper, nearly confronting Simeone after the shocking provocation The Spanish Super Cup semi-final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid was heated not only by the on-field action but also due to the intense verbal exchange between Vinicius Junior and coach Diego Simeone. See more