Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone has apologized to both Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez and forward Vinícius Júnior following a sideline altercation during the Supercopa de España semifinal in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia [[1]],[[2]]. The incident, which occured after a recent and heated Madrid derby, involved Simeone repeatedly suggesting to Vinícius that he would be released by Real Madrid [[2]]. While offering his apology, simeone stopped short of asking for forgiveness, stating he has “nothing more to add” [[3]].
Diego Simeone, manager of Atlético Madrid, has issued an apology following a heated exchange with Vinícius Júnior during their Supercopa de España semifinal against Real Madrid. The incident occurred days after a contentious Madrid derby, a match that highlighted the fierce rivalry between the two Spanish giants and carried significant weight in the tournament.
Simeone reportedly repeatedly told Vinícius Júnior, “Florentino [Pérez] is going to get rid of you,” during the match played in Saudi Arabia.
“First of all, I would like to apologize to Florentino and to Vinícius for the incident the other day. It was not correct, and that is why I want to present my apologies,” Simeone stated on Monday.
“It was not right of me to put myself in that situation, and I obviously accept that I wasn’t right, I shouldn’t have said what I said. The team that wins deserves to move on, so there is nothing more to add,” he added, declining further comment after Xabi Alonso accused him of unsportsmanlike conduct.
Despite the controversy, Simeone did offer praise for the coaching of Xavi Flick. “Barcelona is in a very good moment, with a coach who has very clear ideas. It’s a team that pursues a footballing idea, and the result is clear in the trophies they are winning,” he noted.
