Vinicius Jr faces 4-match ban: Mourinho backs him ahead of Sevilla
Synopsis
Vinicius Jr. won't just miss Sevilla — he'll miss the El Clasico too. A hair-pulling incident and a furious protest cost the Brazilian four matches, and Jose Mourinho's warm words can't change the fixtures. Real Madrid face their biggest early-season test without one of their most dangerous attacking weapons.
Key Takeaways
Vinicius Jr. received a four-match ban after his red card in Real Madrid's 1-0 win over Villarreal .
Two matches were for pulling the hair of Nathan Saliba ; two more for protesting aggressively toward referee Isidro Diaz de Mera .
Vinicius will miss matches against Sevilla , FC Barcelona (El Clasico) , Racing Santander , and Valencia .
Coach Jose Mourinho described Vinicius as 'a spectacular guy' and backed him publicly ahead of Sunday's game.
Endrick played a key role in Real Madrid's 4-3 Champions League comeback win over Roma after replacing Vinicius.
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho publicly backed Vinicius Jr. on Saturday as the Brazilian forward braces for a four-match suspension stemming from his dismissal in the side's 1-0 La Liga win over Villarreal last weekend. The ban will keep Vinicius out of some of the most high-stakes fixtures on Madrid's calendar in the coming weeks.
How the Suspension Unfolded
Vinicius was shown a red card in the 73rd minute by referee Isidro Diaz de Mera after a VAR review ruled out what appeared to be a goal and simultaneously identified an off-the-ball incident in which the forward pulled the hair of Villarreal midfielder Nathan Saliba. Spanish football authorities handed him a two-match ban for the foul — classified as occurring 'with the ball not being disputed' — and a further two matches for what was described as an 'aggressive attitude' and needing to be restrained by teammates while protesting the referee's decision.
Fixtures Vinicius Will Miss
The four-match ban rules Vinicius out of Sunday's home La Liga clash against Sevilla, the first El Clasico of the season away to FC Barcelona, and subsequent away fixtures against Racing Santander and Valencia. Missing the Clasico is particularly significant given the weight that fixture carries in Spanish football's title race.
Mourinho's Defence of Vinicius
Speaking ahead of the Sevilla match, Mourinho was emphatic in his support for the winger. 'He's a spectacular guy, and it's easy to have a good relationship with him,' the Portuguese coach said. Mourinho also pushed back against suggestions that Vinicius' substitution had been the turning point in Real Madrid's dramatic 4-3 Champions League victory over Roma on Wednesday, a match in which Madrid scored three late goals to complete a comeback after Vinicius was replaced by Endrick, who played a key role in the turnaround.
Mourinho on Squad Competition
The coach was guarded about his starting lineup for Sevilla, choosing instead to highlight the depth of options available to him. 'There are so many players who deserve to play: not just 11, but 15 or 16,' he said, adding that the five changes he made against Roma were simply a reflection of normal tactical management — 'substitutions are simply part of football,' he noted. The remarks suggest Mourinho is not viewing Vinicius' absence as an insurmountable problem, even with a Clasico on the horizon.
What Comes Next
With Vinicius sidelined for the next month of competitive football, Real Madrid's attacking options and depth will face a stern test. The Clasico away at FC Barcelona looms as the most consequential of the four games he will miss, and how Madrid fare without him could shape the mood around the club's season. There is no indication at this stage that the club plans to appeal the suspension.
Point of View
But it sidesteps the broader question of whether the club has adequately addressed a pattern of on-field volatility from one of its most gifted players. The Endrick subplot — his decisive cameo against Roma coming precisely after Vinicius departed — adds a layer of irony that the coaching staff will not want to over-read, but the squad depth Mourinho cites is now a necessity rather than a luxury.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Vinicius Jr. been banned for four matches?
Vinicius Jr. received a four-match suspension after being sent off in Real Madrid's 1-0 win over Villarreal. Two matches were awarded for pulling the hair of Villarreal midfielder Nathan Saliba in an off-the-ball incident, and a further two for an aggressive reaction toward referee Isidro Diaz de Mera.
Which games will Vinicius Jr. miss due to his suspension?
Vinicius will miss Real Madrid's home La Liga match against Sevilla, the El Clasico away at FC Barcelona, and away fixtures against Racing Santander and Valencia. The Clasico is considered the most significant absentee blow.
What did Jose Mourinho say about Vinicius Jr.?
Mourinho praised Vinicius ahead of the Sevilla match, calling him 'a spectacular guy' and saying it is 'easy to have a good relationship with him.' He also defended his decision to substitute Vinicius during the Champions League win over Roma.
How did Real Madrid's match against Roma end, and what was Vinicius's role?
Real Madrid beat Roma 4-3 in the Champions League, completing a dramatic comeback with three late goals. Vinicius was substituted before the turnaround, with Endrick — his replacement — playing a key role in the recovery.
Will Real Madrid appeal Vinicius Jr.'s suspension?
There is no indication at this stage that Real Madrid plan to appeal the four-match ban. Mourinho has not publicly called the punishment unjust, instead focusing on the squad depth available to cover the absence.
