The Brazilian forward posted a short message on Instagram after the match, combining his relief at Madrid’s victory with an acknowledgement that his actions had left the team a player short.
“The joy continues… Sorry to my team and the fans,” Vinícius wrote.
The 72nd-minute dismissal was one of the most contentious moments of the game at the Santiago Bernabéu. Vinícius, who had entered the match as a substitute, thought he had doubled Madrid’s lead after finishing a move involving Jude Bellingham.
However, referee Isidro Díaz de Mera reviewed the incident following a VAR intervention. The footage showed Vinícius pulling Villarreal defender Nathan Saliba’s hair during the build-up, leading to the goal being disallowed and the forward receiving a straight red card.
The decision left Vinícius visibly angry. He protested before leaving the pitch, while his teammates were left to protect the narrow advantage established by Yan Diomande in the 62nd minute.
Madrid held on to secure all three points despite playing the final stages with ten men.
Vinícius later shared another post on his Instagram stories, making clear that his frustration extended beyond the incident against Villarreal. The message included a montage of previous challenges and incidents involving him, highlighting what he sees as inconsistent treatment from match officials.
“And the one who gets a yellow and red card is always Vinícius. What a disgrace,” the accompanying message read.
His reaction followed an evening in which Madrid’s victory was overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the disallowed goal and his dismissal.
The incident also prompted criticism and debate about the referee’s decision, although Villarreal defender Juan Foyth said afterwards that he believed the red card was correct under the rules. Foyth added that he did not think Vinícius had intended to cause an injury.
For Madrid, the immediate priority was preserving the result after Diomande’s first goal for the club proved decisive. The sending-off nevertheless left the team facing the possibility of losing Vinícius for subsequent league fixtures, depending on the disciplinary decision.
The forward’s apology acknowledged the impact of his dismissal on his teammates and the supporters, but his subsequent post showed that he remained unhappy with what he considers a recurring pattern in the officiating of matches involving him.