“This is disgusting” - Ex-Liverpool and Real Madrid hero calls Pablo Maffeo ‘pathetic’ for ridiculous incident involving Vinicius Jr

Former Real Madrid and Liverpool winger Steve McManaman has slammed Mallorca Pablo Maffeo following his feud with Vinicius Junior. The two players renewed their long-term feuds on the pitch in Los Blancos' 3-0 win against Mallorca in the semi-final of the Supercopa de Espana.

Maffeo tried to unsettle the Brazilian superstar by initiating contact with the 24-year-old who responded by waving his hand on the defender's chest. Maffeo took the opportunity by theatrically going to ground causing an outrage from the Real Madrid camp.

Jude Bellingham confronted the 27-year-old right-back while Dani Ceballos went to the officials to complain about play-acting. De Burgos Bengoetxea managed to cool the situation temporarily by giving a stern warning to both players.

Two-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid Steve McManaman slammed Maffeo for his antics after the game. The former Liverpool winger told ESPN, as quoted by Madrid Xtra on X:

“This is disgusting from Maffeo. It’s ridiculous. It’s embarrassing. What is he doing? In the last La Liga game, Vinicius touched the GK around the neck and he fell over like he’s been hit by Mike Tyson, this is the same. That’s pathetic.”

While Vinicius Junior is a world-class player and often unstoppable on his day, he has lost his temperament on several occasions. The Brazilian has therefore been targeted by several opponents but must learn to keep his cool.

Vinicius Junior and Pablo Maffeo have a bad blood between them since 2021-22 when the latter was sent off for a heavy challenge on the Brazilian. Despite the feud on the pitch, Los Blancos beat Mallorca 3-0 in the Supercopa de Espana semi-final.

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Pundit offers advice to Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior after recent sending-off

Dutch football icon Rudd Gullit has urged Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior to learn from Lionel Messi after his latest sending-off. The Brazil international was shown a straight red card in Los Blancos' 2-1 win against Valencia for slapping keeper Stole Dimitrievski.

Vinicius Junior has been a controversial character on and off the pitch and has been no stranger to unnecessary altercations during the game. Rudd Gullit has slammed that Real Madrid winger for his antics and advised him to learn from Lionel Messi. The former Netherlands international told Ziggo Sport:

"I understand Vinicius feels like he got screwed by the goalkeeper but that same behavior applies to Vinicius too. If you provoke the opponent, then you simply can't expect sympathy. You just need to learn to shut up. Look at Messi, he got kicked all the time too and he just got up and kept on playing."

Gullit added:

"But Vinicius constantly keeps complaining, constantly keeps provoking, toying with the opposite fans, yea.. then you are going to get it. And I'm sure Real Madrid tell him this too, but it looks like he just can't let go of this behavior."

Vinicius Junior has established himself as one of the best players in world football since his reported €46 million switch from Flamengo in 2018. He has scored 13 goals and provided nine assists in 23 games across competitions this campaign.