Vinicius Jr finds himself at the center of controversy once again, as a red card, a lengthy suspension, and a series of bizarre rumors converge to cast fresh scrutiny on the Real Madrid winger during a pivotal stretch of the season.

The Brazilian forward was shown a straight red card during Real Madrid's recent match against Villarreal after a VAR review overturned what had appeared to be a goal. Replays revealed Vinicius pulling the hair of Villarreal's Nathan Saliba during a moment when neither player was contesting the ball. The decision reversed what the team initially celebrated as a second goal, with Vinicius having rushed to kiss the badge in front of supporters before being mobbed by teammates — even manager Jose Mourinho sprinted onto the pitch to join the celebration before the review overturned it.

Vinicius's visible frustration with the referee's decision led to further disciplinary trouble, as teammates had to step in to calm him down. The fallout escalated when Spain's football disciplinary committee announced a four-match suspension just two hours before Real Madrid's Champions League clash with Roma. Two games were imposed for the hair-pulling incident, with two additional matches added for his conduct following the dismissal. The suspension will keep him out of league fixtures against Sevilla, Racing Santander and Valencia, and most notably rules him out of the upcoming El Clasico against Barcelona — barring a successful appeal.

Mourinho was openly critical of 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? You don't need to answer me," the Portuguese coach 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." Mourinho suggested the timing reflected a lack of respect toward the club, especially given Madrid's congested fixture list. He declined to speak to reporters immediately after the Villarreal match, reportedly fearing he might say something that could lead to his own suspension.

Despite the turmoil, Real Madrid fought back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat Roma 4-3, a result Vinicius later described as a significant lift for the squad. The winger addressed the incident and his broader struggles afterward, expressing surprise at the severity of his punishment. "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."

He also addressed his frustration at being substituted during the Roma match while his team trailed, admitting it is difficult for him to accept being taken off given his competitive desire to always be on the pitch. "I'm aware of my form and how I'm playing," he said. "I'm here to help the team, and sometimes I need to come off so other players can play and change the dynamics."

The 26-year-old has gone six appearances without scoring for Real Madrid, his last goal coming back in August against Real Sociedad. Mourinho had notably benched Vinicius for the Villarreal match, the first time since last April he had not started, opting instead for Yan Diomande. Before the match, Mourinho spoke sympathetically about the forward's struggles, saying, "What makes me sad is the fact he really wants to be at his absolute best... He deserves better treatment, as he has made Madrid very happy on many occasions."

Adding to the unusual narrative surrounding him, Vinicius has become the subject of social media conspiracy theories suggesting he was replaced by a body double, stemming from a cosmetic procedure he underwent on his chin in July. His personal life has also drawn attention in Brazil following reports of his split from television personality Virginia Fonseca.

Despite the swirling distractions, Vinicius remains confident his form will turn around. "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'm sure of that. I have no doubt. I'm here to help the team."

Based on reporting from BBC Sport.