Reinaldo Rueda, the coach who gave Vinicius Jr. his first professional start at Flamengo, has shared his thoughts on the Real Madrid star’s recent emotional display during the Clásico. While expressing his great fondness for the player, Rueda admitted he was surprised and disappointed by his former protégé’s actions on the pitch.
In a recent interview, Rueda described Vinicius Jr. as a “noble” and “good guy,” which made his recent outburst seem out of character. He explained that seeing the player lose control of his emotions “hurt” him, as he believes it doesn’t reflect who Vinicius Jr. truly is.
🤔 A Mentor’s Concern
Rueda, who now coaches the Honduras national team, expressed deep personal affection for Vinicius Jr., calling their time together one of the “gifts football has given me.” However, he was candid about his reaction to the player’s behavior in the recent Clásico, describing it as “strange” and a “great lack of mental and emotional control.” He felt that such displays of temper do not lead to positive outcomes and hoped Vinicius Jr. would learn from the experience.
🌱 A Call for Maturity
Now that Vinicius Jr. is an established player, Rueda believes it is crucial for him to manage these emotional reactions. “He’s mature enough,” Rueda stated, emphasizing that the player is under immense pressure but cannot let it affect his conduct. He pointed out that all players want to stay on the field, but they must respect the coach’s decisions, such as being substituted. Rueda urged Vinicius Jr. to seriously reflect on his actions.
👍 Praising the Coach’s Composure
Rueda also commended Real Madrid’s coach, Xabi Alonso, for his handling of the situation. He noted that the coach’s calm and mature reaction—distancing himself from the conflict—was admirable and intelligent. By not engaging, the coach prevented the situation from escalating. Rueda acknowledged that coaches are often in difficult positions when players react emotionally to being substituted.
🌟 A Role Model’s Responsibility
In closing, Rueda highlighted Vinicius Jr.’s important position at Real Madrid. As a key player and leader, he is a role model for many young fans and aspiring footballers. Rueda stressed that this leadership role comes with a responsibility to set a positive example, and his on-field behavior must reflect that. He firmly stated that such an incident “cannot be allowed to happen again.”
