Real Madrid’s commanding 3-0 victory over Mallorca in the Spanish Supercopa semifinal was overshadowed by a fierce confrontation between Vinicius Jr and Pablo Maffeo, reigniting a bitter rivalry that has become a recurring flashpoint in matches between the two sides.
The tension erupted just ten minutes into the match when Maffeo, who had recently boasted he could “knock out” Vinicius in ten seconds, initiated contact with the Brazilian forward. The situation quickly escalated when Vinicius responded with a hand gesture toward Maffeo’s chest, prompting the Mallorca defender to dramatically fall to the ground in what Real Madrid players perceived as clear simulation.
The incident sparked immediate outrage, with England star Jude Bellingham leading the protests against Maffeo’s theatrical response. From the sidelines, Real Madrid substitute Dani Ceballos voiced his frustration to officials over what he viewed as blatant play-acting. Referee De Burgos Bengoetxea attempted to restore order by calling both players for a stern warning, though the underlying animosity remained palpable throughout the match.
The hostility between the two players carried over into the halftime break, where Vinicius reportedly confronted Maffeo about his first-half conduct. This exchange required the intervention of Real Madrid assistant coach Davide Ancelotti to prevent further escalation. Even after the final whistle, with Real Madrid’s victory secured, tensions continued as Maffeo became embroiled in a verbal dispute with Real Madrid’s Raul Asencio, prompting head coach Carlo Ancelotti to step in as peacemaker.
This latest clash adds another chapter to a contentious history between the two players that dates back to the 2021-22 La Liga season, when Maffeo received a red card for a heavy challenge on Vinicius. Despite previous claims of reconciliation, Maffeo’s recent provocative comments about potentially knocking out the Brazilian in a hypothetical boxing match clearly set the stage for renewed hostilities.
The animosity threatened to overshadow what was otherwise a masterclass performance from Real Madrid, who secured their place in the Supercopa final through goals from Bellingham, an own goal by Martin Valjent, and a stoppage-time strike from Rodrygo. The victory sets up a highly anticipated El Clasico final against Barcelona on Sunday.
For Vinicius, who has frequently found himself at the center of controversial incidents throughout his career in Spain, this latest altercation with Maffeo highlights the ongoing challenges he faces from opponents who seem determined to provoke a reaction from the talented Brazilian. The support shown by his teammates and coaching staff, particularly in the heat of the moment, demonstrates Real Madrid’s united front in protecting their star forward.
The incident also raises questions about the fine line between competitive intensity and unsportsmanlike conduct in modern football. While Maffeo’s pre-match comments and subsequent actions might be viewed as tactical attempts to unsettle an opponent, they risk overshadowing the sporting spectacle and potentially inciting more serious confrontations.
As Real Madrid prepare for their Supercopa final showdown with Barcelona, the club will hope to shift focus back to their impressive on-field performance rather than sideline controversies. However, this latest chapter in the Vinicius-Maffeo saga serves as a reminder of the personal rivalries and tension that can define football’s most compelling matchups.
