Brazil’s professional footballer Vinicius Júnior 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. “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 day before the friendly match on Tuesday (9.30 p.m. on DAZN) in Madrid’s Bernabéu Stadium. The game will be themed “One Skin, One Identity” to raise awareness of racism – almost ten months after the Real Madrid star was racially abused during a league game in Valencia.
“I want us to have more equality and less racism in the near future, so that black people can lead normal lives. That they come home and don’t have any problems,” Vinicius said. “I want to keep my head in the game, and sometimes I can’t.”
No change of club
The incident in Valencia caused a stir in Spain and internationally. During Los Blancos’ 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 and the public prosecutor’s office began an investigation.
But the 23-year-old doesn’t want to move to another club. “I would give the racists what they want.” At the “best club in the world” he wanted to “score as many goals as possible,” he said.
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. “It’s a sad reality,” said the winger.
Michael Reinsch, Glasgow Published/Updated: Recommendations: 10 Matthias Rüb, Rome Published/Updated: Recommendations: 2 Published/Updated:
The 23-year-old 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.
