Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone apologises to Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior following touchline spat during Supercopa de Espana semi-final

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Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has apologised to Vinicius Junior for comments directed at the Real Madrid forward during their Spanish Super Cup semi-final. The Argentine was heard addressing the 25-year-old from the touchline, reportedly suggesting Madrid president Florentino Perez would look to sell him. Vinicius played a key role in Real's 2-1 semi-final victory over Atletico in Jeddah.

Watch: Angry Vinicius clashes with Simeone after being subbed

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Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has moved to issue an apology to Vinicius Jr after the Real Madrid forward had a heated moment with his counterpart during this month's Supercopa de Espana semi-final in Jeddah.

Simeone was seen in a heated confrontation with the 25-year-old during the Madrid derby in Saudi Arabia, which Real won 2-1, and there have been claims the Atletico boss suggested to Vinicius that his president Florentino Perez had earmarked selling the Brazilian in the coming months.

Atletico have since returned to Spain, and speaking ahead of his side's Copa del Rey round of 16 tie with Deportivo La Coruna, Simeone has taken the opportunity to diffuse the situation by taking accountability for what occurred during Thursday's encounter.

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"I would like to apologise to Mr Florentino and Mr Vinicius for the incident they witnessed," said Simeone.

"It was wrong of me to put myself in that position, and I accept that it was wrong. The team that wins deserves to go through - they deserved to go through."

Television footage showed the pair disputing an early Atletico penalty appeal, before Simeone reportedly told the winger that Perez "will kick you out - remember what I'm telling you".

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The Argentine was later booked after exchanging words with Vinicius, who was also yellow-carded before being replaced by Arda Guler.

Following the defeat, Simeone declined to expand on the incident, saying he "couldn’t remember" what had been said.

Vinicius, who was influential in Real's victory over Atletico despite not getting on the scoresheet, was unable to prevent Barcelona from lifting a second successive Spanish Super Cup on Sunday, as Xabi Alonso's side were on the wrong end of a dramatic 3-2 loss in the final.

It proved to be the last match in charge for Alonso, with Real announcing on Monday that he had departed the club.

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There have been reports that Vinicius could be sold, with his Madrid contract expiring in the summer of 2027 - but when asked if his behaviour had crossed a line, Simeone continued: "I apologise, but I do not ask for forgiveness. I have nothing more to add."

Vinicius ended a 19-game goal drought against Barcelona, but it was not enough to prevent defeat against their old foes. Having lost out on the first piece of domestic silverware, attention will return to whether Real can claw in the four-point deficit they currently have on Barca in La Liga.

On occasion this season, Vinicius has been booed by Madrid fans, while his relationship with coach Alonso had been the subject of debate during his scoring drought.

Even some sections of the crowd inside the King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Jeddah had jeered Vinicius when he was substituted during the second-half of the semi-final, with Simeone remonstrating with the player and heard on pitchside microphones, saying: "Listen! Listen!".

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Following the slender victory, Real boss Alonso was far from impressed at his opposite number's professionalism during that moment.

"It was not an example of a good sportsman," he said of Simeone's behaviour to Movistar, in quotes reported by ESPN. "I try to be respectful with players of opposing teams. When I saw and heard what [Simeone] said, I liked it even less. You have to have respect for your opponents. There's a limit."

Atletico will resume their La Liga campaign at home to Alaves on January 18 following the trip to Galicia this week, with the side currently fourth in the standings, 11 points behind leaders Barcelona.

Provided Vinicius remains at Real Madrid this month, he and Simeone will meet again at the Bernabeu on March 22.

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