Xabi Alonso was furious with Diego Simeone after discovering Vinicius Junior, constantly telling the Real Madrid ace that the club wanted to sell him when the two clashed.
Xabi Alonso reportedly refused to shake Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone’s hand after clashing with Vinicius Junior, reportedly telling him Real Madrid “want to sack him”.
Simeone targets Real’s star as the two Madrid teams clash in the semi-finals of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. His comments linked Vinicius Junior with the exit door at the Bernabeu following contract issues and a flare-up with Alonso.
The Atlético manager was in the technical area, but Los Blancos president Florentino Perez is said to have repeatedly told him he wanted Vinicius to leave. When the forward was substituted, he is said to have gestured to the whistle from the crowd and said: “Listen to the people!”
After Vinicius was sent off, he was held back by staff and team-mates on the touchline, calling on those involved to take action against the Atletico coach. Simeone did not deny suggestions that he had told the Real star the club wanted to let him go.
Alonso was left furious, claiming his opponent’s jersey number had crossed the line and that his antics were not in the interests of a “good sportsman”. He told Movistar: “I didn’t like it. I saw ‘Cholo’ say some things to him. To me, those things cross the line in terms of respect for my colleagues… anything goes.”
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Alonso continued: “I try to be respectful of the players on the opposing team. When I saw and heard what[Simeone]said, I didn’t like it even more. What he said is not an example of a good sportsman. You have to respect your opponents. There are limits.”
Vinicius’ departure continues to attract attention, as he has not scored a goal in 15 competitive matches since Thursday’s match. The 2024 Ballon d’Or runner-up is reportedly becoming increasingly unstable in the Spanish capital, with rumors of links with both Chelsea and the Saudi Professional League.
However, Real defeated their local rivals and moved one step closer to clinching a mid-season silver medal. Real took the lead with a free kick from Federico Valverde in the second minute, and Rodrygo scored in the second half to make it 2-0. Atlético fought back, with Alexander Sorloth scoring, but they were unable to convert the equaliser.
Los Blancos will face Barcelona in Sunday’s final in Jeddah. On Wednesday night, the Catalans defeated Athletic Bilbao 5-0 to advance to the high-profile competition, which they won last year by beating Real 5-2 in the final.
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