Brazilian striker Rodrygo declared Thursday that he was the victim of racist attacks on social networks, two days after the Seleção’s defeat in the “superclasico” against Argentina’s Lionel Messi, at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
“The racists are still on duty. My social networks have been invaded by insults and nonsense of all kinds,” denounced the Real Madrid striker in messages published on his Instagram and X accounts.
Users notably attached banana or monkey emojis to the profile of the 22-year-old athlete, who is considering legal action, according to the Globo Esporte site, citing Rodrygo’s advice.
“If we don’t do what they want, if we don’t behave the way they think we should, if we wear something that bothers them, if we don’t lower our heads when they attack us, if we don’t we occupy spaces they think are theirs, racists take action with their criminal behavior. Bad luck, we won’t stop,” the footballer stressed.
Racists are always on duty. My social networks were invaded with insults and all kinds of nonsense. It’s there for everyone to see!
If we don’t do what they want, if we don’t behave as they think we should, if we wear something that bothers them, if we don’t lower our standards… pic.twitter.com/JtsPYrQPDT
— Rodrygo Goes (@RodrygoGoes) November 23, 2023
His national team teammates, such as Neymar and Vinicius Jr, who himself is regularly the target of racist attacks in Spain where he plays alongside him at Real Madrid, expressed their solidarity with the Merengue striker. “Your outburst makes them uncomfortable, never stop!” “, supported “Ney” on Instagram. Both players were absent due to injury during the match against Albiceleste counting for the 6th day of South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
“This disease that is racism”
In a press release, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) condemned “racist acts” and assured that it “will continue to work tirelessly to ban this disease of racism from football”.
Black Awareness Day marks the historic struggle of black people against inequality, exclusion and racial discrimination. ✊????
November 20th was the date created to remember the resistance against racism, which was led by Zumbi dos Palmares, who died on November 20th,… pic.twitter.com/dgKn9u2YK9
— CBF Futebol (@CBF_Futebol) November 20, 2023
The president of the CBF, Ednaldo Rodrigues, recalled in the press release that an event against discrimination, entitled “One Skin”, would be organized during the friendly match of the five-time world champions against Spain in March.
“It is a call for reflection on the type of violence that you (Rodrygo) suffered, that Vinicius suffers and that all those who, like you, Brazilians or not, players or not, suffer every day on this planet,” Mr. Rodrigues said.
Rodrygo played the entire match against Argentina, who won 1-0 in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, breaking Brazil’s historic unbeaten run at home in South America’s World Cup qualifiers.
The striker had heated exchanges with Argentines Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul just before kick-off of the match, which had been delayed by almost half an hour due to clashes between supporters and police in the stands.
