Real Madrid legend Predrag Mijatovic has criticized Vinicius Junior for his goal celebration following a penalty, stating that the young star is damaging his career.
Mijatovic, who famously scored the winning goal in Real Madrid’s 1998 Champions League final, expressed his frustration with Vinicius during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad.
After a penalty was awarded in the 58th minute, Vinicius celebrated by making a “shushing” gesture toward the Sociedad fans, which Mijatovic found unnecessary and harmful to the player’s reputation.
“He’s shooting himself in the foot” Mijatovic, speaking on Cadena SER’s Carrusel Deportivo, said: “He’s hurting himself with these kinds of actions. He needs to calm down and mature a little.”
“A disappointing celebration” Mijatovic also mentioned his disappointment with the celebration, adding, “We were happy when he scored, but the celebration was truly disheartening. Why does he need this kind of showmanship?”
He went on to note that many Real Madrid fans share similar concerns, stating, “Many love Vinicius, but they are upset with these behaviors.”
Why did Vinicius make the ‘shush’ gesture? After converting the penalty, Vinicius directed the gesture toward the stands at Anoeta Stadium. The reason for the celebration remains unclear, as neither the player nor the club commented on it.
Some speculate it may have been a response to the crowd’s booing, but this remains uncertain. Despite being a symbol of the fight against racism, Vinicius has been criticized for not reporting any possible abuse to the referee.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti, when asked about the incident, remained tight-lipped, simply stating, “I prefer to keep my thoughts to myself.” His response has fueled speculation that Ancelotti may be growing tired of Vinicius’ behavior.
