Karim Benzema has stepped forward to defend Vinícius Júnior after the Brazilian’s heated reaction to being substituted during El Clásico, insisting the moment was nothing more than an expression of the winger’s competitive spirit. Speaking with calm reassurance, Benzema played down the controversy, saying, “He gets angry when he leaves the pitch. That’s normal. That’s his character.” His words come amid growing debate about Vini Jr.’s temperament, particularly in high-pressure fixtures where emotions often run high.
According to Benzema, who shared years of attacking partnership with Vinícius at Real Madrid, the frustration shown by the young forward should not be misinterpreted. He stressed that fans and pundits need to understand the personality behind the player. “Okay, he shouldn’t do that,” Benzema admitted, acknowledging the optics of the outburst. “People need to know that’s how he is. He has a reaction. It’s nothing.” For Benzema, the moment reflects a player who demands a lot from himself and channels that intensity into his performance.
Vinícius had been performing well before his substitution and believed he could contribute even more, a mindset Benzema described as typical of a player who thrives on responsibility and involvement. “He was doing well on the pitch, he thought he can do more, have more touches,” he explained. Being substituted in such a fiercely contested match—one of the biggest fixtures in world football—only heightened the emotional response. “He reacted because he doesn’t want to leave the pitch. It’s normal. It’s nothing.”
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This is not the first time Vini Jr.’s passion has sparked discussion, but Benzema’s words provide a perspective rooted in familiarity. As a former teammate and mentor figure, his defence carries weight within the Real Madrid community. His comments underline the importance of understanding the fiery competitiveness that drives players like Vinícius—footballers who play on emotion, push themselves relentlessly, and sometimes struggle to hide their disappointment when taken off.
For now, Benzema’s reassurance paints the incident as a minor moment rather than a major story. In his view, Vinícius’s reaction is simply another reflection of the ambition and intensity that have helped shape him into one of the sport’s most electric talents.
