Brazilian forward Endrick has moved to defend his Real Madrid teammate Vinicius Jr following the winger’s four-match suspension handed to him by Spanish football authorities, insisting the punishment was harsher than expected because of the scrutiny surrounding the Brazilian.
Vinicius was handed the suspension following his sending-off against Villarreal in La Liga on Saturday after an incident involving defender Nathan Saliba, during which the Real Madrid forward was adjudged to have pulled the defender’s hair.
Reacting to the disciplinary decision, Endrick questioned the length of the ban and suggested Vinicius was being treated unfairly because of his identity and reputation.
“Vini being banned for 4 matches? It should’ve been 2 matches, everyone knows it, but we knew it would be 4 for Vini, because it’s Vini. Everyone knows they always target him. But Vini is strong, and he’ll get over this.”
Endrick, Real Madrid Forward
The 20-year-old made the remarks after delivering an influential performance in Real Madrid’s dramatic 4-3 comeback victory over AS Roma in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night.
Endrick was named man of the match after helping Los Blancos overturn a two-goal deficit late in the contest despite playing just thirty minutes of the match, demonstrating his attacking quality after entering the game as a substitute.
Endrick Inspires Madrid’s Stunning Comeback
Real Madrid appeared to be heading towards defeat in Rome after falling 3-1 behind, but Endrick’s introduction proved crucial as the Spanish giants mounted a late fightback to secure all three points.
The Brazilian replaced Vinicius Jr in the 59th minute, with the latter visibly unhappy with the decision to withdraw him from the contest.
However, Endrick quickly made his presence felt, bringing energy and a direct attacking threat to Madrid’s forward line as they searched for a way back into the match.
His headed effort was initially parried by Roma goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, but the rebound fell favourably for Carlos Espi, who converted to reduce the deficit to 3-2.
Endrick then completed the equaliser just two minutes later, rising to meet Arda Güler’s corner with a header that brought Madrid level and shifted the momentum decisively in their favour.
Antonio Rüdiger subsequently completed the comeback, sealing a remarkable 4-3 victory for the visitors after they had trailed 3-1.
The result further highlighted Madrid’s ability to recover from difficult situations in the Champions League, a competition in which they hold the record for the most titles.
Vinicius Faces Spell on the Sidelines
While Endrick celebrated an outstanding individual performance, Vinicius now faces a period away from domestic action as he serves his suspension.
The Brazilian is set to miss Madrid’s upcoming fixtures against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander and Valencia.
His absence could prove significantly damaging for Madrid, particularly with the El Clásico against Barcelona among the fixtures affected by the disciplinary decision.
Los Blancos are set for a trip to the Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday, October 25, in the first El Clássico meeting of the season.
Vinicius has also endured a challenging period this season, struggling to reproduce the consistency and attacking influence that have made him one of Madrid’s most important players.
The forward has completed only three matches this season, raising questions about his current standing and role within the team under José Mourinho.
Nevertheless, Endrick’s public defence offers a show of support from a fellow Brazilian at a time when Vinicius is facing criticism and disciplinary consequences.
The winger will now have to wait for his return to competitive action, while Madrid seek to maintain their momentum across domestic and European competitions.
For Endrick, meanwhile, his decisive contribution in Rome provides a timely reminder of the attacking options available to Madrid as they navigate a demanding run of fixtures.
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