Courtois Backs Vinicius Jr. After Getafe Flashpoint as Lip-Reading Emerges

Overview

• Speaking before Real Madrid’s Champions League game against Juventus, Thibaut Courtois praised Vinicius Jr.’s maturity under provocation and said he should stay focused.
• Courtois likened controlled provocation to tactics once used by Diego Costa, arguing it can unsettle defenders if the player remains composed.
• A lip-reading by Velloso, presented as an interpretive reconstruction, reported Vinicius replying to Juan Iglesias, “Claro, porque eu sou bom… eu sou muito bom.”
• The confrontation occurred in a 1-0 win at Getafe in which Éder Militão and Kylian Mbappé stepped in to separate the players during the exchange.
• Match reports say Vinicius irritated Getafe defenders, helped draw two expulsions, mocked a defender, and later voiced frustration to coach Xabi Alonso about teammates opting to shoot rather than pass; the victory kept Real Madrid on 24 points atop La Liga.