Numbers expose stark difference in how Real Madrid superstar is treated in La Liga and Champions League | OneFootball

Real Madrid may have secured a late 2-1 victory against Espanyol in dramatic fashion in their first La Liga game of the season, but all the discussion post-game was centred around Vinicius Junior.

The Catalan club took a dig on their social media, claiming that the Brazilian should have been handed a second yellow for simulation.

Meanwhile, there was also an argument made from Los Blancos’ side that Vinicius was unfairly fouled by Espanyol players, especially by Alex Calatrava, and was not protected by the referee.

Jose Mourinho stressed the need to protect players like the 26-year-old superstar when opponents resort to persistent fouling in a bid to stop them.

Now, according to AS, numbers highlight the striking difference between the treatment Vinicius receives in La Liga and the Champions League.

Vinicius remains La Liga’s most-fouled player

The report outlines that the Madrid winger needs to be fouled 16 times in domestic competition before an opponent is shown a yellow card. In Europe, that number drops dramatically to just three.

Since the 2019-20 season, Vinicius has been the most-fouled player in La Liga, suffering 489 fouls in total.

Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. is the most fouled player in La Liga since 2019. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

That trend continued against Espanyol, where he was fouled eight times, more than any other player on the pitch.

The numbers are what make the comparison particularly uncomfortable. As mentioned, in La Liga, Vinicius needs 16 fouls for an opponent to receive a yellow card.

By comparison, Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal, who is also fouled a lot due to his trickery, only needs three.

The gap is also significant when it comes to red cards. Vinicius needs 68 serious fouls before an opponent is sent off, whereas the corresponding figure for the Barça teenager is just 11.

Yet, in the Champions League, things even out. There, both players see opponents booked at roughly the same rate: one yellow card every three fouls.

Madrid believe there is a double standard

The contrast in the treatment is at the heart of Real Madrid’s complaint.

The club believe Vinicius is refereed differently in Spain compared to Europe, despite facing similarly aggressive treatment.

Jose Mourinho has already defended the Brazilian publicly, arguing that opponents rotate fouls on him throughout matches and that the pattern often goes insufficiently punished.

The difference in fouls-per-yellow card rate between Lamine Yamal and Vinicius Jr. in La Liga is striking. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

For Madrid, the concern is not simply that Vinicius gets fouled frequently. Elite dribblers will always attract contact.

However, when opponents are not punished adequately, it gives them even more incentive to foul incessantly and potentially injure the player.

It is not that the La Liga referees do not do it for anyone, as is very clearly seen in the case of Lamine and Barcelona.

When the same player needs 16 fouls for a booking in La Liga but only three in the Champions League, it is crystal clear where the problem lies, and it is time referees took a good look in the mirror.