Vinicius Junior Calls on La Liga to Protect Star Players

Vinicius Junior has called on La Liga officials to do more to protect the league's most creative players, after being hit with a four-match ban.

The Real Madrid forward spoke after the 4-3 Champions League win over Roma, pointing to his own record as proof of the problem. He said he is often fouled but still ends up being the one punished. 

"I've seen a statistic that says I've been fouled 500 times, resulting in five red cards and I don't know how many yellows - and the yellows are always for Vini. I don't get it. We have to defend players who stand out, like Lamine at Barcelona or Julián at Atletico," he said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

The ban follows Madrid's game against Villarreal, when Vinicius was sent off for pulling Nathan Saliba's hair. The situation got worse from there. He confronted referee Isidro Diaz de Mera, brushed past Endrick, who was trying to calm him down, and shoved a LaLiga employee near the VAR monitor. Video also showed him still angry as he stormed down the Bernabeu tunnel.

The Spanish football federation gave him two games for the clash with Saliba and two more for his behaviour towards the referee. He is out of LaLiga action until after the November international break, which means he will miss the Clasico against Barcelona.

Endrick came to his team-mate's defence, telling Movistar Plus+ that the league is targeting Vinicius. He called the punishment "unbelievable" and "crazy". 

"We knew it had to be a two-match ban because of a straight red card, but deep down we knew it wasn't going to be just two, because what they're doing to 'Vini' is unbelievable, crazy, and there's no way around it. Instead of two matches, they've given him four. They're going to come after 'Vini,' but he's a strong guy, always working hard, fighting against everything. He's going to be strong, and when he comes back, he's going to come back in great shape," Endrick said.

On the pitch in Rome, Vinicius had a tough night as Madrid trailed 3-1 before a late fightback. He was annoyed to be taken off, but praised the players who replaced him. 

"It's normal; I was annoyed after being substituted because I always want to perform well and help the team. The substitutions changed the team. Endrick changed the dynamic and was the best on the pitch. And Carlos came on for just a few minutes but scored. I'm annoyed with myself for not being at my best. In the end, Vini always comes back, and I have no doubt that I'll be back too," he said.