Real Madrid secured a dramatic 2-3 victory against Leganés in the Copa del Rey quarterfinals, but the match also left behind a moment of controversy in the dressing room. Luka Modric was seen reprimanding Vinícius Junior for his lack of defensive effort at a crucial point in the game.

The Heated Exchange

With the score tied at 2-2 in the 83rd minute, Leganés nearly took the lead when Dani Raba’s shot forced a crucial save from Andriy Lunin. While most Real Madrid players rushed back to defend, Vinícius stayed behind, protesting a booking he deemed unfair.

Modric, acting as a leader on the pitch, did not hold back his frustration. The Croatian urged Vinícius to track back, but the Brazilian did not take the criticism well, leading to a brief but visible disagreement.

Ancelotti Backs Modric

After the match, Carlo Ancelotti was asked about the altercation and did not hesitate to side with his veteran midfielder.

"If Modric says it... you have to respect what Modric says, always," the Italian coach stated.

The incident raises the question: Could this affect Real Madrid’s team chemistry? Modric is one of the most respected figures in the squad, while Vinícius has become a key player in the attack. However, given the high-stakes nature of the match, this could simply be a heated exchange in the intensity of competition.