Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr says he “didn’t want to offend anyone” when he and some of his team-mates clashed with Barcelona players after winning Sunday’s El Clasico.
The Brazil forward, 25, expressed his frustration at being substituted in the 72nd minute and went straight down the tunnel.
He returned to the Real bench later and, after his side’s 2-1 win, tried to confront Barcelona’s 18-year-old winger Lamine Yamal during unsavoury post-match scenes.
Vinicius was one of five players booked for their part in the incident, while Real’s substitute goalkeeper Andriy Lunin was shown a red card.
“El Clasico is like that,” Vinicius told Real Madrid TV. “There are a lot of things happening on and off the pitch.
“We try to maintain a balance, but it’s not always possible. We didn’t want to offend anyone, not Barca players, nor the fans.
“We know that when we step on to the pitch, we have to defend our side, and that’s how it was today.”
Lamine Yamal had angered the Real players by saying last week that Real ‘steal’ and ‘complain’.
After scoring Sunday’s winner at the Bernabeu, Real’s England midfielder Jude Bellingham said on Instagram:, external “Talk is cheap. Hala Madrid always.”