The clash from La Liga’s 17th round between Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid continues to make headlines. Involved in several controversial moments during the game, Vinicius Junior, visibly irritated as he left the pitch, made a deplorable gesture towards the Vallecas crowd.

Real Madrid currently sits third in La Liga. Despite having the opportunity to take the top spot before Barcelona’s match against Leganés this Sunday, Carlo Ancelotti’s team could only manage a disappointing 3-3 draw against Rayo Vallecano. Initially benched, Vinicius Junior came on at the start of the second half. Shortly after entering the game, the Madrid winger protested fiercely against the referee, earning a yellow card that will rule him out of the next fixture against Sevilla.

The controversial gesture while leaving the pitch

Clearly having an off night against Rayo Vallecano, Vinicius Junior’s frustration only grew as the game progressed. Annoyed by a penalty that wasn’t awarded for a foul on him in the 75th minute, the 24-year-old, who missed out on the 2024 Ballon d’Or partly due to his alleged explosive and unsportsmanlike behaviour, made headlines again at the end of the match.

A video circulating widely on social media in Spain shows Vinicius confronting the Rayo Vallecano supporters after the final whistle, allegedly promising them that their team would be relegated to the second division by the end of the season.

While many urge him to channel his emotions and frustration, Vinicius only fuels further controversy with this unnecessary outburst. Now a genuine star at Real Madrid, the Brazilian continues to divide opinion with his temperament. Speaking live on Cope Radio after the 3-3 draw snatched by his team, Raúl Martín Presa, president of Rayo Vallecano, expressed disappointment in Vinicius.

“Vinicius’s behaviour was inappropriate. For him to make the ‘you’ll finish second’ gesture was very harsh on us,” said the president of the modest Vallecas-based club, who fully deserved their hard-earned draw. Benefiting from Madrid’s glaring defensive errors and lapses, Rayo capitalised perfectly on their opportunities. Let’s hope Vinicius Junior can adjust his temperament, as former Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira advised earlier this week.