Vinicius Junior received a hostile welcome at Riazor on his first start of the summer. The Brazilian forward was even handed the Real Madrid captain’s armband for the friendly against Deportivo La Coruña.
José Mourinho decided to include Vinicius in the starting XI for the Teresa Herrera Trophy clash, giving the Brazilian his first start of the 2026-27 pre-season campaign. It was also his first appearance at Riazor wearing a Real Madrid shirt, just days after officially extending his contract with the Spanish giants until 2032.
However, Vinicius quickly discovered that the atmosphere in A Coruña would be anything but friendly. From his very first touches of the ball, a large section of the Deportivo supporters made their feelings clear, greeting the Real Madrid attacker with loud whistles and boos.
It is a situation Vinicius has become very familiar with over the past few seasons. Whenever Real Madrid play away from the Santiago Bernabéu, the Brazilian is regularly one of the players who attracts the most attention from opposition supporters. Riazor proved to be no exception.
Despite the hostile reception, Vinicius remained focused on the match and continued to demand the ball. Mourinho’s decision to hand him the captain’s armband also highlighted his growing importance within the Real Madrid squad. Following his long-term contract extension, the club clearly views him as one of the central figures of its sporting project.
Vinicius was not the only Madrid player targeted by the home crowd, however. Endrick and Álvaro Carreras were also whistled during different moments of the game, particularly after physical challenges and duels involving Deportivo players.
The intensity from the stands reflected the importance of the Teresa Herrera Trophy for the home side and its supporters. Although technically a pre-season match, the historic tournament remains a prestigious occasion in A Coruña, and Deportivo approached the encounter with considerable competitive spirit.
For Vinicius, though, the reaction was another reminder of the special treatment he often receives in Spanish stadiums. In recent seasons, few Real Madrid players have generated as much hostility from opposition crowds as the Brazilian international.
Whether because of his playing style, personality, celebrations or simply his status as one of Madrid’s biggest stars, Vinicius continues to be placed under the spotlight whenever he plays away from home.
La saison n'a même pas encore commencé et le cousin de Vinicius se fait déjà hué pic.twitter.com/wgovdDbqvA
— MADRID SCOUTING U23 (@MadridScouting2) August 12, 2026
The whistles at Riazor therefore suggest that little is likely to change during the new campaign. Even in a summer friendly, opposition supporters were already prepared to make their presence felt.
As Real Madrid continue their preparations for the new season, Vinicius will once again have to combine his responsibility as one of the team’s attacking leaders with the pressure that comes with being one of the most closely watched — and frequently targeted — players in Spanish football.
If the scenes in A Coruña are any indication, the Brazilian should expect another season in which every away appearance will come with a particularly intense atmosphere.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to react.