Atletico-MG continues to keep an eye on the ball market to reinforce the cast of coach Cuca. One of the targets is right-back Pablo Maffeo, who is in Mallorca-ESP. The 28 -year -old is known to be one of Vini Jr’s disaffected in Spanish football. With that, the Sporting News Show who Maffeo is and how these ‘obstacles’ were with the Brazilian striker.
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Meet Pablo Maffeo
Pablo Maffeo is a 28 -year -old Argentine right back who currently defends Mallorca from the Spanish first division. Born in Spain, he has double citizenship and stands out for a very intense, fierce and sometimes controversial style of play.
What is the value offered by Atletico-MG?
According to the Spanish newspaper “Carrusel Deportivo”, the Rooster It offered about 4 million euros (approximately R $ 25 million).
Formed in the Spanyol base categories, Maffeo was hired as a young man by Manchester City, being part of the city group. During this period, clubs such as Girona, before passing through Stuttgart, Germany, and Huesca, was loaned to Mallorca in 2021. His career is marked by regularity and being a player of much delivery on the field.
Maffeo x Vini Jr: controversy in Spanish football
During the Spanish Super Cup semifinals in January 2025, the hostility between the two was evident since the first few minutes. The trigger took place early in the match, when Maffeo, after a slight dispute with Vini Jr., simulated being beaten, falling on the lawn theatrically. The scene deeply annoyed Real Madrid players, leading English Jude Bellingham to intervene, scolding the side with a slap on the head.
From that moment on, what was seen was a particular duel within the game. Maffeo chased Vini Jr. with physical marking, hard entries and a series of verbal and gestural provocations, turning the match into a true patience test for the Brazilian.
The tense atmosphere contained even other athletes, such as young defender Asencio, who even sent a ironic kiss to the Mallorca player. Amid the hostile climate, Vinícius Jr. answered verbally, being caught by the cameras saying: “You go home, go home. You’re terrible and go home.”
Side Maffeo, which would be the target of the #gained worldwide prominence for the clashes against striker Vini Júnior, of Real
The player looked a lot the Brazilian is one of the clashes
The Argentine athlete has a contract with Mallorca until June/2027, but would have asked to leave the club. pic.twitter.com/eropBPIdCT
– Wadson Fernandes (@wadsonaraujo89) August 21, 2025
This friction, however, is not an isolated fact. Maffeo had already caused Vinicius on other occasions with gestures that mimicked crying, in a clear attempt to piss him off. The rivalry came to this point that the defender publicly stated in an interview that, if he faced Vini Jr. in a boxing fight, “would need only 10 seconds” to overcome it.
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Non Mallorca maffeo numbers
- 128 games
- 4 goals
- 12 Assistance
