Luka Modric's frustration towards Real Madrid team-mate Vinicius Jr was on full display on Wednesday night, as fans saw the 39-year-old gesturing furiously at the Brazilian during his side's narrow 3-2 win over CD Leganes in the Copa del Rey.
Real Madrid, who are suffering an availability crisis in defence with senior stars David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal all out through injury, edged past Leganes thanks to a 93rd minute goal from substitute Gonzalo Garcia.
But the match was overshadowed by a key moment suggesting that all may not be well in the Real Madrid camp, as Carlo Ancelotti's side gear up for a seismic week.
Los Blancos take on bitter rivals Atletico Madrid in LaLiga on Saturday before travelling to the Etihad three days later for the first leg of their knockout Champions League play-off against Manchester City.
Footage of Modric waving his arms furiously at Vinicius Jr while Real Madrid were organising themselves defensively in the last five minutes of the match went viral on social media, as fans expressed fears over a fallout between the two stars.
According to Marca, Modric went over to Vinicius Jr asking him to help the team out defensively moments after a Leganes counterattack.
The Brazilian reportedly 'did not like' the demand, which prompted Modric to explode on the pitch.
Modric, who netted Real Madrid's opening goal on the night, played down any notion of a sustained row between the pair after the match, insisting: 'It's football... You see everything you shouldn't see.'
When asked about the incident in his post-match press conference, Ancelotti said: 'Modric was angry with Vinicius? I don't know what happened but if Modric said something then it's correct. Always agree with Luka Modric.'
The on-field row came just days after Vinicius Jr was reportedly involved in a bust-up with fellow Real Madrid team-mate Dani Ceballos.
Reports in Spain claim Vinicius Jr clashed with Ceballos after Real Madrid's 1-0 defeat by Espanyol last Saturday because the Spaniard gave him very few passes during the game.
Ancelotti, in an effort to smooth over the incident and keep Vinicius Jr happy, reportedly told his players to pass to the Brazilian more ahead of the Copa del Rey clash.
The manager has also admitted over the last few days that Real Madrid are 'in emergency' ahead of their showdown with Manchester City.
'We are in an emergency, as both (Antonio) Rudiger and (David) Alaba will be out for 20 days. The only options at centre back are Jacobo Ramon, Raul Asencio and Tchouameni,' he said prior to facing Leganes.
Rudiger played in central defender with Tchouameni against Espanyol, before the former Chelsea star was ruled out through injury.
Ramon and Asencio were named as Ancelotti's centre-backs in the Copa del Rey and are now in contention to start together again for both the City and Atletico games.
Ramon, 20, has played in the Champions League before - against Red Bull Salzburg - but is yet to feature in LaLiga. He was promoted to the senior team set-up in the summer. Asencio, meanwhile, has played four times in the Champions League and 10 times in LaLiga.
বাঁশকান্দি
57
this stupid wants to go saudi, That's why he is doing this intentionally, sell this stupid and earn 300 million and Rodrigo is there.
Liyacdiny
49
In my opinion, I don't no the reason why Madrid management is not willing to sell this guy. Vinicus is not the Vinicus we no, he was fantastic on the field of play, but the moment he get the trust and support of the club management, the supporters and the attention he get from fans around the globe, he has now turn to be different player with bad attitude, disrespect and too arrogant, always see himself as bigger then other players in the club. He should ask himself how many matches did he miss due to his attitude. To be honest, playing Mbappe, Rodrigo and Brahim in the absence of Vinicus in our attack, is far better. So to me, I don't no the reason why Madrid is rejecting the Saudi dill. They should sell him and go in for a vastal striker like Isak, very good and already he play laliga before so no problem of adaptation. please Madrid fans go and check Newcastle matches, he is just playing like Benzema. Halla Madrid wish all of u a good luck on our Saturday derby matche against our rivals,(victory for los blancos). Remember i said in my opinion, 'yours too ', because we are all together, one
Simpler02
17
Modric is always right ✅️
Duzbnpstz
14
Vini jr isn't useless please stop insulting. Modric's approach to Vini jr. was wrong and unprofessional do Mbappe and Rodrygo charged?