Vinicius accuses referees of targeting him, calls for protection of attacking players

Vinicius Junior is unhappy with the way referees treat him and believes technically gifted players such as himself, Lamine Yamal and Julian Alvarez need more protection. The Brazilian forward made the point after Real Madrid's comeback 4-3 win over Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday.

His comments came just hours after he was handed a four-match La Liga ban for pulling an opponent's hair and reacting to the referee. "I don't remember any other player being suspended for four games. I tried to push the player in front of me aside and got caught up in his hair," Vinicius said.

"That was it — a red card — and that's why I was so surprised. I didn't say anything insulting enough to the referee to deserve a four-match ban. But when it's Vini, everything becomes too easy. Opponents always say it's fair and the press says the same. I understand. I'm here to keep growing and improving, because I know where I come from and what I can achieve," he added.

"It's understandable that opposition fans boo me, because my job is to score against them, but I can't understand the referees. I've looked at the numbers: I've been fouled 500 times, but only five red cards have been given. In the end, the yellow card always goes to Vini, to the attacking players. We need to protect the people who make the difference in a game, like Lamine at Barcelona or Julian at Atleti. A defender is allowed to foul me all game but in the end I'm the one who gets booked," Vinicius said.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho also complained about the timing of the suspension announcement. "Do you think it's normal that a player from a Spanish club, preparing for an important and pivotal match for Spanish football, finds out he's banned for four games just two hours before kick-off?" Mourinho said. "We were on the bus near the stadium when we got the news... they've started doing things without any shame."

Vinicius, who has not scored for Real Madrid since August, was substituted in the 59th minute of the win in which his side came back from 3-1 down. "I'm working to get back to my best form soon," he said. "I know I'm not at my peak right now, but I've been through worse spells and even when people doubted me I always stood up for this club. That's why I signed a six-year extension. A good run of form will come back and so will the goals. I'm sure of it. I have no doubts."

Vinicius, 26, has scored just two goals for club and country this season, one for Real Madrid in their second La Liga match and one for Brazil in a September friendly against Australia. He also played down his frustration at being substituted by Mourinho on Wednesday. "Being upset when I'm taken off is normal because I always want to play every game. I'm fully aware of my current form. I'm here to help the team and sometimes you have to come off so another player can change the game," he said.

"Mourinho and I have a very good relationship. He's always straight with me. Of course I was a bit annoyed to be taken off today, but that's normal. In the end he was right, the team played better and that's the most important thing."

Vinicius was replaced by Endrick, who equalised in the 85th minute before Antonio Rudiger sealed Real Madrid's win in the 90th. "This is Real Madrid. We needed a game like this to change the situation and turn the season around," Vinicius said. "It will help and give us strength because the young players shone. Endrick played an unbelievable game. He scored and really helped us. That's why he was voted man of the match."

Because of the ban, Vinicius will miss Sunday's home game against Sevilla and next week's away Clasico against Barcelona. He will also sit out the away trips to Racing Santander and Valencia.