Xabi Alonso slammed Diego Simeone for his dispute with Vinicius Junior during Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup (Supercopa de Espana) semi-final on Friday, January 9, 2026, early morning WIB.
Federico Valverde put Real ahead with a free-kick in the second minute. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois described Valverde's free-kick at the start of the game as something out of a cartoon.
"It was a great goal. I saw it from behind. Fede has a great kick. No one expected a kick like that, past the outside of the defense wall," said Courtois.
Rodrygo added to the lead to make it 2-0 in the second half, before Alexander Sorloth pulled a goal back for Atletico Madrid.
However, it's not how the fierce match unfolded that is in the spotlight. During the match, TV footage showed Simeone on the sidelines repeatedly telling Vinicius that Real Madrid President Florentino Perez would get rid of him, before pointing to a whistle from the crowd when the attacker was replaced.
Alonso said what Simeone did was unacceptable.
"I don't like it. I saw Cholo (Simeone's nickname) say something to him (Vinicius). For me, things like that go beyond the limit in terms of respecting teammates, nothing is acceptable."
"I try to respect the players of the opposing team. When I see and hear what (Simeone) said, I don't like it any more."
"What he said is not an example of a good sportsman. You have to respect your opponent. There are limits," Alonso told Movistar, when asked about Simeone's behavior.
Both Simeone and Vinicius were given yellow cards by the referee after getting into a debate when the player left the field.
Simeone did not deny that he had said Real Madrid planned to get rid of Vinicius. However, he refused to elaborate when asked about the incident.
"I have nothing to say. I always say, since I was still a player, things that happen on the field stay on the field. I have nothing more to say."
"I have a lot of respect for all the Real Madrid players," said the Atletico Madrid coach.
Simeone also had an altercation with Real Madrid substitute Dani Carvajal at half-time, and with Valverde when Vinicius was pulled off.
"There is a code of ethics between football players, coaches. That's part of football. It's a derby. The important thing is that it stays on the field. Football has to have that spark," Valverde said.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid will face Barcelona in the final of the Supercopa de Espana on Monday, January 12, 2026, early morning WIB, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Alonso confirmed that Kylian Mbappe, who missed the semi-final due to a knee injury, is scheduled to fly to Jeddah on Friday, January 9, 2026, ahead of the El Clasico final.
"Kylian is leaving. He is much better, he has been training, he feels good," Alonso said.
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