Brazil’s soccer star Vinicius Junior burst into tears ahead of the international match in Spain, which is dedicated to the fight against racism.
“I just want to play football,” said the 23-year-old, who is repeatedly the victim of racist insults, at a press conference on Monday (March 25, 2024). “I’m losing interest in playing more and more,” he said. “But I will keep fighting.”
Vinicius spoke openly about his fight against racism on the eve of Tuesday’s friendly at his club Real Madrid’s Bernabéu stadium. The game will be themed “One skin, one identity” to raise awareness of racism – almost ten months after the Real star was racially insulted during a league game in Valencia.
Vinicius: “More equality, less racism”
“I want that in the near future we have more equality and less racism, that black people can live a normal life. That they come home and don’t have problems,” said Vinicius. “I want to keep my head in the game, and sometimes I can’t.”
The incident in Valencia caused a stir in Spain and internationally. During the “Royal” game at FC Valencia on May 21st, the Brazilian was racially insulted from the stands. Three suspects were arrested just two days after the incident. Real Madrid filed a hate crime report. The public prosecutor’s office began investigations.
Several incidents – even in games without Vinicius
Vinicius has been subjected to repeated insults for a good two years. His club recently filed another complaint with the public prosecutor’s office about hatred and discrimination. This refers to incidents in which the Brazilian did not even play.
Before the Champions League games between arch-rivals FC Barcelona against SSC Napoli and Atlético Madrid against Inter Milan, football fans sang discriminatory chants against Vinicius.
The 23-year-old then contacted those responsible at UEFA and the Champions League directly. In the past, he had repeatedly called for lifelong bans for fans who were conspicuous with racist behavior or racist comments.
