A turbulent stretch for Vinicius Junior has intensified, with a red card, a four-match suspension, and a wave of bizarre social media conspiracy theories all converging at a critical moment in Real Madrid's season.

From the bench to the red card

Manager Jose Mourinho made the surprising decision to drop Vinicius from the starting XI for Real Madrid's first match back after the international break — a home fixture against Villarreal. It was his first absence from the starting lineup since last April, with Yan Diomande taking his place.

Mourinho had been openly sympathetic toward his forward before the match. "He wants to be the Vini who wins games, scores goals and makes the difference," the Portuguese coach said. "He is an extraordinary guy who works very hard to get back to his absolute best. He deserves better treatment, as he has made Madrid very happy on many occasions."

Vinicius entered the match in the 52nd minute and appeared to have an immediate impact, converting an assist from Jude Bellingham in what Real Madrid thought was their second goal. He sprinted to the supporters and kissed the badge, with team-mates swarming around him and Mourinho racing across the pitch to join the celebrations.

A VAR review ended the euphoria. Footage showed Vinicius pulling Nathan Saliba's hair while the ball was in play and with no aerial challenge involved. The goal was disallowed, and the referee produced a straight red card. Vinicius's prolonged protests after the dismissal required intervention from team-mates and added to his disciplinary record.

Mourinho chose not to address the media after the match, with reports emerging that he feared anything he said would earn him a suspension of his own.

Four matches and no Clasico

Two hours before Real Madrid faced Roma in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, the Spanish football federation's disciplinary committee handed down a four-match ban. Two matches were given for the hair-pulling, and a further two for Vinicius's conduct after the red card.

The suspension rules him out of league games against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander, and Valencia. Most critically, he will miss El Clasico against Barcelona the following Sunday — barring a successful appeal.

Mourinho was vocal about the timing of the announcement. "Do you think it's normal for a player who is going to play an important match for Spanish football to know two hours before that he is sanctioned with four games?" he said. "It's not normal. Couldn't they do it now or tomorrow morning? We found out on the bus and almost arrived at the stadium." The coach characterised the decision as showing "little respect" for the club and implied the timing was deliberate.

Vinicius responds

After Real Madrid staged a dramatic comeback to beat Roma 4-3, Vinicius spoke publicly about the incident, having already apologised to his team and supporters on social media.

"I don't remember any player ever getting a four-game suspension," he said. "I tried to get past the player in front of me and ended up grabbing his hair. That's it — a red card. That's why I was so surprised, but I didn't say a single bad word to the referee to deserve a four-game suspension."

The 26-year-old also acknowledged his frustration at being substituted in the 59th minute against Roma while his side were trailing 3-1 — before three late goals completed a stunning turnaround. "It's normal for me to get upset after being substituted because I always want to play every match," he said. "I'm aware of my form and how I'm playing."

Vinicius has now gone six appearances for Real Madrid without a goal, his last coming in August against Real Sociedad. Throughout the season, he has also been consistently booed by sections of the Real Madrid support.

The conspiracy theory noise

Beyond the disciplinary drama, Vinicius has found himself at the centre of peculiar social media rumours. After undergoing cosmetic surgery on his chin in July, the visible changes to his appearance prompted online speculation that he had been replaced by a body double — a claim with no basis in reality.

Despite the noise, Vinicius remains confident his best form will return. "I know I'm not at my best right now, but I've had worse moments, and even when people doubted me, I've always stood up for this club," he said. "That's why I renewed for six more years. The good streak will return, and the goals will come back. I have no doubt."