We need protection – Vinicius demands action for himself, Yamal after four-match ban

Speaking after Real Madrid’s Champions League comeback win over Roma, the Brazilian said:

“I feel like defenders can always kick me, yet I am the one who gets booked.

"We need to protect players who can make a difference like me, Lamine Yamal and Julián Álvarez.”

The comments come amid a difficult period for Vinicius. He was sent off against Villarreal for pulling Nathan Saliba’s hair in the build-up to a disallowed goal and later received a four-match ban for the offence plus aggressive protests.

The suspension rules him out of the upcoming El Clásico against Barcelona.

His form this season has also been underwhelming by his standards, with just two goal contributions and growing frustration visible on the pitch.

The issues form part of a longer pattern at Real Madrid: Vinicius has repeatedly complained about heavy fouling, inconsistent refereeing, and what he sees as selective punishment, while remaining one of the most targeted attackers in La Liga.

The Brazilian has long argued that creative, high-impact players require stronger protection so they can influence games without constant physical disruption.

By naming Yamal and Álvarez alongside himself, he framed the issue as broader than his own situation.