Lothar Matthäus criticised Vinicius Junior at a media session ahead of Saturday evening's major Bundesliga clash between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, urging Real Madrid to take firm action. He said Real Madrid work better without Vinicius Junior.
Matthäus's criticism
Matthäus said: "I'm curious now to see what Real Madrid do with Vinicius Junior. Because Real work better without him."
He also said: "He is a disruptive influence. He is a sourpuss. That's how it is. And he is not good for the team. His whole public image. That's why I was glad he wasn't in the top 10 for the Ballon d'Or."
Matthäus said: "Real Madrid have this problem. Real Madrid's problem is called Vinicius Junior. When he isn't there, the team work: more disciplined, everyone playing for one another, together. With him, there is an ego. A big ego, and his whole body language. And that harms the team, and it harms the club too."
Call for firm action
Matthäus said: "I hope, for Real Madrid's sake, that at some point the president speaks plainly to Vinicius Junior, that he either puts him in his place or Mourinho leaves him on the bench. When he's suspended, he can't play him, but a fit Vinicius Junior can sit on the bench too, because in my opinion, looking at it from a distance, he harms the team. And the club."
He added: "This is Mourinho's job now, too. Yes, what do I do with Vinicius? We win a Clásico in Barcelona again after two or three years. We perform without Vinicius Junior, who was substituted, in Rome, where they also won 4-3."
Suspension details
GOAL says Vinicius Junior had missed Real Madrid's most recent competitive matches, including the 2-1 Clásico win over FC Barcelona, because of a suspension following violent conduct and an outburst against Villarreal.
GOAL says Vinicius Jr. remains suspended in LaLiga until at least 7 November and will miss the matches against Racing Santander and FC Valencia.
Champions League availability
GOAL says Vinicius Jr. can still play in the Champions League.
During his suspension, Vinicius Jr. started twice in the Champions League, against Roma in a 4-3 win and RB Leipzig in a 4-1 win, according to GOAL.
Real Madrid must travel to AEK Athens on Wednesday.
