The Challenges of Being Vinicius Junior: Real Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed concern on Sunday about Vinicius Junior's behavior after the player was shown a red card for pushing Valencia's goalkeeper, Stole Dimitrievski, in the back of the neck during a recent match. Ancelotti acknowledged that it would be challenging for Vinicius to move past the incident. The Brazilian winger has faced taunts from Valencia fans at the Mestalla stadium, a reminder of the racial abuse he endured during a previous match in 2022. The coach emphasized the need for Vinicius to maintain composure and focus on his game despite the adversity he has faced.

"I think it is difficult (to be Vinicius), I'm not in his skin, but I think it's difficult," Ancelotti told reporters, after Vinicius saw red in Madrid's 2-1 La Liga win on Friday.

"To bear everything that has happened, the insults, everything, it's not so simple.

"Obviously he's sad about the red card, he said sorry and we have to look forwards."

Vinicius, who has suffered racial abuse at numerous stadiums in Spain, is also often targeted by fans for his behaviour on the pitch.

The 24-year-old often complains to officials after clashing with defenders and sometimes engages and responds to fans who jeer him.

"What happens in stadiums... I think he has improved his attitude a lot, he can keep improving but nobody is perfect," continued Ancelotti.

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"I think he's done a lot of work on that, and he has improved so much that he is the best player in the world."

Vinicius may face a ban after his red card, which will be decided next week, meaning he is available for Madrid's Copa del Rey clash against Deportivo Minera on Monday.

"We're still convinced it was not worth a red card but a yellow, so we hope he is not banned," said Ancelotti.

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League leaders and reigning champions Madrid then face Mallorca in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final on Thursday in Saudi Arabia.

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(This story has not been edited by staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)