Xabi Alonso spoke about the situation between Vinicius and Simeone during the match
Real Madrid head coach doesn't like the attitude of his colleague and argue that "overpasses the spirit of competition".
Real Madrid achieved its primary objective in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, by defeating Atlético Madrid 2-1 to secure a spot in the Spanish Super Cup final. The "Merengue" side took a commanding early lead with goals from Federico Valverde and Rodrygo, while the "Colchoneros" managed to narrow the gap in the second half thanks to Alexander Sørloth.
However, beyond the collective performance on the pitch, the match was overshadowed by a heated and controversial exchange between Vinícius Jr. and Diego "Cholo" Simeone, creating a tense atmosphere for both squads.
Xabi Alonso Defends His Star Player
The friction reached its boiling point in the 81st minute when Vinícius Jr. was substituted for Arda Güler. Following the match, Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso did not hold back his frustration regarding the incident. Alonso criticized his counterpart, suggesting that Simeone lacked "competitive spirit" by engaging in a verbal spat with an opposing player.
"I didn't like that moment at all. Cholo said something to him, and those things cross the line of the spirit we should have for our fellow professionals," Alonso stated during the post-match press conference. "I don't like it when players are addressed that way. Not everything is fair game."
Alonso further emphasized that respect should be a pillar of the sport, regardless of the rivalry's intensity.
"I try to be respectful with the opposing players and I usually don't address them directly. When I saw what he said to [Vinícius], I liked it even less. That is not an example of good sportsmanship. There must be respect for the rival; everything that happens on the field has a limit."
Simeone’s Dismissive Response
On the other side of the touchline, Diego Simeone downplayed the confrontation. The Atlético Madrid manager categorized the incident as a standard "heat of the moment" occurrence typical of high-stakes derbies.
According to Simeone, the matter is already buried:
"What happens on the field—ever since we were little kids—stays on the field. I have nothing to comment on that."
