XABI ALONSO exploded at Diego Simeone as the Madrid derby took a nasty turn when Vinicius Jr was subbed off.
As the Brazilian winger made his way off the pitch, the Atletico boss appeared to say something to rattle the Real star and his manager immediately leapt to his defence.
Speaking after the game, Alonso did not reveal what Simeone said, but he claimed the Argentine has ‘crossed the line’.
Alonso said: “I heard what Simeone said to Vini, and I didn’t like it.
“You cannot talk like that, some things cross the line. It’s unacceptable and it’s a lack of fair play.”
When Simeone was quizzed on the incident, he declined to go into details.
Simeone said: “Vini Jr? I have nothing to say. Ever since my playing career, I’ve said that what happens on the pitch, stays on the pitch.
“I have a lot of respect for [Dani] Carvajal, for all Real Madrid players. I clearly told him what it looks like from the outside”.
Real Madrid emerged victorious in the Spanish capital’s derby – which took place in Saudi Arabia – besting Atletico 2-1 thanks to a Rodrygo goal and a screamer from Federico Valverde.
Real will now meet Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
It’s not the first time that Vini Jr has rubbed people the wrong way in Spain.
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The 25-year-old is out of contract at the club in 18 months time and speculation persists that he does not want to sign a renewal.
Partially because of how his role at the club has changed since Xabi Alonso took charge, but he has good reason to be jaded by life in the Spanish top-flight.
In May of last year, five Valencia fans were found guilty of racially abusing the Brazil star with all five given suspended sentences for ‘hate crimes’.
That’s one of the rare examples of action being taken to protect Vini Jr.
There are nearly 20 other examples of the forward being subjected to racism with monkey chants reported while playing against Barcelona, Valencia, Real Mallorca and many others.
There’s nothing to suggest what Simeone said was racist at this stage, but Alonso clearly took exception to the confrontation.
Perhaps in time we’ll learn what the Atletico boss really said.
