Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso has accused Atletico Madrid counterpart Diego Simeone of “crossing the line” with comments made to Vinicius Jr during a feisty Spanish Super Cup derby.
Vinicius Jr started for Los Blancos in Thursday night’s high-profile semi-final tie in Saudi Arabia, which Real Madrid won 2-1 despite the absence of the injured Kylian Mbappe thanks to a spectacular early free-kick from Federico Valverde and second-half Rodrygo effort, with Alexander Sorloth’s response not enough to spark an Atletico comeback.
Real Madrid will once again face arch-rivals Barcelona in a Clasico final showdown on Sunday night at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah - for which Mbappe could now return - after the holders thrashed Athletic Club 5-0 in the first last-four clash on Wednesday evening.
The main talking point in another intense and fiery Madrid derby came nine minutes from time, when Vinicius Jr was substituted by Alonso and replaced by Arda Guler.
The Brazilian international became engaged in a heated row with Simeone as he walked off the pitch, with angry scenes sparked on the touchline involving both benches as officials had to intervene, showing yellow cards to both Simeone and Vinicius Jr.
"I didn't like it," Alonso told Movistar about Simeone’s behaviour. “I saw that Cholo [Simeone] said something to him. For me, those things cross a line in terms of respect of a colleague... not anything goes.
"I try to be respectful with players of opposing teams. When I saw and heard what [Simeone] said, I liked it even less.
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“What he said isn't an example of a good sportsman. You have to have respect for your opponents. There's a limit."
Simeone remained tight-lipped on the incident afterwards, saying: “I don't have anything to say. I always said, since I was a player: things that happen on the pitch, stay on the pitch. I have nothing more to say.
"I respect all of Real Madrid's players, a lot."
Though neither Alonso nor Simeone divulged specific details on what exactly was said, Spanish broadcasters Movistar appeared to pick up the Argentine’s comments.
Simeone allegedly told Vinicius Jr, according to Movistar: “[Real Madrid president] Florentino Perez is going to kick you out, remember that.
“Remember that they’re going to kick you out. They’re going to kick you out, remember what I’m telling you.”
Vinicius Jr hit back at Simeone on social media, commenting on one Instagram post showing their exchange that Simeone had “lost yet another knockout match”.
