Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has issued a public apology following a heated exchange with Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior during the Spanish Super Cup semi-final last week.
Simeone's Public Apology
The fiery Argentine coach found himself in a war of words with the Brazilian star both during and after Atletico's 2-1 defeat to their city rivals on Thursday, January 12, 2026. The confrontation continued after Vinicius was substituted from the match.
In a news conference on Monday, January 15, ahead of his team's Copa del Rey match against Deportivo La Coruna, Simeone expressed regret for his actions. "I would like to apologise to Mr Florentino and Mr Vinicius for the episode we saw," Simeone stated, referring to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez. Reports suggested Simeone had told Vinicius that the club president would remove him from the team.
"It was not good of me to put myself in that position and I accept I didn't do the right thing," the coach admitted, while still maintaining that the better team progressed to the final.
Raphinha's Mentality Praised After Final Heroics
While the semi-final drama involved Atletico and Real, the Spanish Super Cup final was a classic El Clasico. Barcelona emerged victorious, defeating Real Madrid 3-2 on Sunday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to retain the trophy.
The hero for Barca was Brazilian winger Raphinha, who scored a decisive brace. This performance extended his remarkable form to seven goals in his last five matches. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick was full of praise for the player's resilience, especially after a two-month injury layoff during a difficult period for the club.
"His mentality is unbelievable, his dynamic affects the whole team," Flick told reporters. He highlighted how Raphinha responded to missing an early chance by immediately scoring Barcelona's opening goal, boosting the team's confidence.
"This is what Raphinha brings on the pitch, it's a lot of intensity and we need this," Flick added. The victory marked Barcelona's 10th consecutive win across all competitions and maintained Flick's perfect record in eight finals as a coach.
Contract Talks and Team Morale
The news comes amid ongoing speculation about Vinicius Junior's future at Real Madrid. His current contract is set to expire in June 2027, and no new deal has been agreed upon as of yet. Despite the off-field tension and the final loss, the Brazilian did score a fine solo goal in the showpiece event.
For Barcelona, the win provides a significant morale boost. Flick expressed hope that this triumph would propel the La Liga leaders towards achieving their other seasonal objectives. The coach also welcomed back defender Ronald Araujo, who made a late appearance after taking a month-long break for his mental health.
"To be on the pitch and to win this title means a lot for him," Flick said of Araujo. "I'm really happy that he's back."
