Gabi Criticizes Vinicius Jr.’s Behavior After Real Madrid Match

Former Atletico Madrid Captain Shares Discontent

Gabi, the former captain of Atletico Madrid, has openly expressed his disdain for the behavior exhibited by Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. The incident took place during Real Madrid’s match against Barcelona, where Vinicius displayed frustration upon being substituted by coach Xabi Alonso in the 72nd minute. Following this, the Brazilian winger offered apologies both publicly and privately, although notably, he did not address Xabi directly in his statement released on Wednesday.

Gabi Speaks on Vini’s Antics

Recently, Gabi sat down with El Larguero to discuss Vinicius’s conduct, particularly in light of recent events.

Key Quotes from Gabi:

• On Vinicius’s Impact: “He tests everyone around him every day. For me, it was to be expected; the responsibility lies with the coach.”

• Regarding Public Behavior: “What I detest most in a footballer is the theatrics and grand gestures, especially when done in public… If there are concerns, they should be addressed privately.”

• Handling Situations: “What should have occurred after the Clásico? Post-match conversations are essential. Simply allowing him to issue a statement without addressing the coach directly is unacceptable and indicates an inflated sense of self-importance.”

• Challenges of Emotional Control: “It’s a mix of different factors that lead to such reactions. Players can become overwhelmed and act inappropriately, making judgments about teammates, the coach, and even broader social issues, which is not the right approach.”

• Team Dynamics: “There shouldn’t be a player who thinks they are above the team. Any player with such a mindset has a problem… Unless you’re someone like (Lionel) Messi, who can decisively change games on his own.”

Gabi’s remarks shine a light on the importance of humility and team spirit within football, stressing that no player should see themselves as superior to their teammates.