Barcelona Pair Supports Real Madrid’s Vinicius Ahead of El Clasico Showdown

• Real Madrid and Barcelona are set to face off in the upcoming El Clasico
• Vinicius Jr. was recently on the receiving end of an unpleasant comment from a Barcelona spokesman
• Two Barcelona stars have come out to back the young Real Madrid forward in a recent interview

Vinicius Jr. once again took centre stage for Carlo Ancelotti's team, securing victory in their UEFA Champions League match against Sporting Braga.

The young Brazilian played a pivotal role by providing two assists, one for Rodrygo de Goes and another for midfielder Jude Bellingham, ensuring a flawless start to their UCL campaign.

Despite his outstanding performance, Vinicius found himself embroiled in a controversial debate when Barcelona spokesman Miquel Camps, whose tweet has since been deleted, compared him to a clown.

Camps also insinuated that Vinicius was not a true victim of racism despite the recent incidents of abuse he endured in Spain, notably during the 1-1 draw in Sevilla, where a young fan mimicked a monkey in his direction.

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In the aftermath of the uproar caused by Camps' post, two Barcelona players, Joao Felix and Ilkay Gundogan, voiced their support for Vinicius in the lead-up to El Clasico.

Barcelona players support Vinicius

Felix, in an interview with ESPN, stated:

"All the things he does that people say make players irritated, I don't agree. That's football and football has those things. It's not just about running, scoring goals and defending. I think there has to be a bit of joy in the game as well."

German midfielder Gundogan, who recently sat in an interview with TV3, also showed his support for the Real Madrid man.

"Someone can interpret Vinicius' actions as a provocation, but for me, honestly, they are not. Evidently, he already knows that if he does these things, he will be whistled. But maybe he likes to be whistled, I don't know..."

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"Some players experience it as an extra element of motivation. It happens to me that when I play away [from home] and they whistle me, I get more motivated."

This support from fellow players comes at a crucial moment, with the highly anticipated El Clasico match between Real Madrid and Barcelona on the horizon.

Vinicius Jr. is expected to face a hostile reception from the fans at Montjuic, but many will hope these jeers stay within the confines which the sport allows.

Match Preview: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

Sports Brief also reported that the much-awaited initial clash of the 2023/24 season has arrived, as Barcelona prepare to host rivals Real Madrid at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, with both teams vying for the honour and pride at stake.

With just one point separating the two sides after ten league games, securing a victory holds immense significance in determining the trajectory of the season for either team.

For Madrid, a loss on Saturday would mean surrendering their advantageous position on the league table to their rivals. Conversely, this match carries the weight of redemption, as they aim to avenge their dual defeats to Barcelona in the previous La Liga season.