Vinicius Jr is in the middle of a love triangle
Real Madrid star Vinicius has made a grovelling apology to a Brazilian TV host he was romantically linked to after she discovered him swapping messages with another model.
The 2024 Ballon d'Or runner-up said he wanted to start again with stunning presenter Virginia Fonseca with "no lies" and "lots of love, affection and respect."
And he described the American-born 26-year-old, who announced her separation from Brazilian singer Ze Felipe in May shortly after the birth of their third child, as an "admirable mother" he felt enormous respect for, in a desperate apparent attempt to win her back.
The 25-year-old, who has been having a tough time putting his ego back together after finishing 16th in the Ballon d'Or this year, also admitted: "I am not ashamed to admit that I was careless" in an astonishing statement he posted on his Instagram late yesterday.
Vinicius, who is currently on international duty in South Korea, made his apology after Italy-based Brazilian beauty Day Magalhaes published messages she said she had shared with the footballer and said they had been talking to each other since May.
Vinicius Jr sent a grovelling public message to presenter Virginia Fonseca
Virginia, who travelled to the Spanish capital to see Vinicius play and was openly being talked about in Brazil as his new girlfriend after being pictured wearing a Real Madrid with his name on, reacted by confirming she had stopped talking to the LaLiga player.
In his lengthy Instagram Stories apology, the Los Blancos star said: "We all go through moments that make us reflect and grow.
"Recently, I experienced a situation that made me reflect and recognise attitudes that did not represent who I want to be or the type of relationships I want to build.
"Virginia is an incredible woman, an admirable mother, and someone for whom I feel enormous affection and respect.
"Since we met, she has come to Madrid three times to see me, leaving behind her routine, her commitments, and her life just to be with me. I met an admirable mother and an incredible partner.
The Real Madrid star was messaging Day Magalhaes
"Although we were not yet officially a couple, there was a sincere connection.
"I am not ashamed to admit that I was careless, that I did not respond in the best possible way and that I disappointed her.
"That is why I want to apologise publicly, with an open heart, because I understood that a true relationship only exists when there is respect, trust and transparency.
"The idea now is to start all over again. No lies, no fights, no masks. With lots of love, affection and respect."
It was not immediately clear this morning if Vinicius' very public declaration of love would be enough to win Virginia back.
Vinicius wants to win Virginia back
The mum-of-three, born in Connecticut to a Brazilian mother and Portuguese-American father, posted selfie photos of her with her Vini Jr Real Madrid shirt on at the LaLiga giant's weekend game against Villarreal.
She wrote: "Hala Madrid" in a caption alongside the snaps she showed off to her 53 million Instagram followers.
Day Magalhaes has meanwhile been answering questions from fans on her social media. She told one who asked her if Vinicius had blocked her after she outed herself as the other woman in his life: "No."
When another asked her if she was with the footballer when he was starting a relationship with Virginia, she replied: "Yes."
Vinicius scored two goals in Real Madrid's 3-1 win against Villarreal on Saturday, silencing critics who have questioned his form of late.
The footballer has been linked to a string of women this year. One Brazilian news outlet recently said the list was now at eight, and claimed they included Spanish model Victoria Ruiz, Venezuelan model Isabella Ladera and even 2023 Miss New York USA Rachelle Di Stasio after she attended a Real Madrid match.
His shock apology drew comparisons with the one fellow Brazil international Neymar posted to model and influencer Bruna Biancardi last June on social media, after previous allegations of infidelity.
She ended up taking the Santos striker back after he wrote: "Bru, I ask for forgiveness for my mistakes."
