The Supercopa semifinal between Real Madrid and Mallorca was overshadowed by a heated altercation at the end of the match, fueled by the long-standing rivalry between Vinicius Jr. and Pablo Maffeo. What began as a few sharp exchanges on the pitch escalated into a full-blown clash that reignited their tumultuous relationship.

A Rivalry Years in the Making

From the opening whistle, the tension between Vinicius and Maffeo was palpable. The pair engaged in constant physical and verbal battles throughout the match, culminating in a chaotic scene near the final whistle. The spark for the post-match scuffle? A slap to Maffeo’s head by Jude Bellingham, which sent tempers flaring on both sides.

Even Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged the unnecessary nature of the altercation, stating, “The players were a little heated, but these things shouldn’t happen.”

Off-Pitch Jabs Fuel On-Field Tension

The drama didn’t start on the day of the semifinal. In the lead-up to the match, an old podcast interview with Maffeo resurfaced, adding fuel to the fire. Recorded in October but aired just days before the game, the Mallorca defender, an amateur boxing enthusiast, joked about easily defeating Vinicius in a boxing match.

“It could be the most-watched fight in history. I’d win, no doubt. I’d knock him out in ten seconds,” Maffeo bragged lightheartedly. The comments sparked controversy, forcing Maffeo to clarify that his remarks were made in jest and at the interviewer’s urging.

A History of Provocations

The Vinicius-Maffeo feud dates back several seasons, with both players engaging in provocations. Maffeo has mocked the Brazilian’s frequent complaints to referees by mimicking crying gestures during matches. Meanwhile, Vinicius has been caught taunting Maffeo, including an instance during the semifinal where he was overheard saying, “You’re terrible. Go home.”

In February 2023, tensions boiled over during a La Liga match at Son Moix. A group of Mallorca fans directed xenophobic slurs at Vinicius as he clashed with Maffeo on the wing. The incident led to widespread condemnation and cast a shadow over their rivalry.

Later that year, Maffeo shut down his social media accounts after enduring abuse from Real Madrid fans following his team’s Copa del Rey loss. The defender revealed that personal attacks, including comments about his daughter, pushed him to step away from online platforms.

A Rivalry That’s Far From Over

Vinicius’s confrontations with Mallorca players extend beyond Maffeo. The Brazilian has also clashed with Mallorca captain Antonio Raíllo, who had to leave the semifinal early due to injury. Raíllo, when asked about targeting Vinicius as a strategy, diplomatically deflected, stating, “He’s a player who dribbles and tries to get past you. It’s normal for defenders to be seen as the bad guys in these situations.”

Despite efforts to downplay the tension, the rivalry between Vinicius and Maffeo remains one of the most heated in Spanish football. With each encounter, their clashes grow more intense, adding another layer of drama to the already fiery matches between Real Madrid and Mallorca.

As these two continue to cross paths, one thing is certain: the feud between Vinicius Jr. and Pablo Maffeo is far from over.