Tears that invite the world of football to ask questions. Brazilian player Vinicius Junior could not hold back his tears on Monday March 25 at a press conference. This preceded the friendly match between Brazil and Spain, which will take place on March 26. Speaking to journalists, the Real Madrid striker admitted suffering from the relentlessness he has suffered since his arrival in Spain in 2017. “I am focused on each match with the aim of giving the best for my team. But this is not always possible,” he confided.
Since he entered the Iberian stadiums, the 23-year-old young man has suffered a shower of insults. “Each time I feel sadder, each time I want to play less,” he said, sobbing. On Like the comments made by a Camp Nou spectator during a meeting between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid in 2021. Other insults followed, notably during a match against Valencia in May 2022.
In a Spanish television program, Vinicius is accused of “monkeying” by a columnist for his way of celebrating the goals he scores by dancing. “It was just before a derby at the Metropolitano [stade de l’Atlético Madrid], recalls Pablo Galledo. Result: racism again in a Spanish stadium. »
Insults from isolated spectators are followed by those from entire groups of supporters. Then the calls for murder. “These facts are recurring as soon as Real travels away,” notes Pablo Galledo. Recently, it was Osasuna supporters who called for the player’s death. We could also hear new insults in Getafe when the Real bus arrived. »
Real Madrid complaint
Exasperated, Real Madrid filed a complaint on March 15, after further violations during a meeting in the round of 16 of the Champions League. Several personalities from Spanish football have given him their support, including the current coach of the “Merengues”, Carlos Ancelotti. But others have hit the nail on the head. Like Cadiz player Ivan Alejo who, following the elimination of Brazil by Croatia at the 2022 World Cup, published a controversial tweet in which there were three dancing emojis and two others of a monkey. The player then deleted it and explained on X: “I realized that an interpretation had been made which was not the one I wanted to convey. I correct it. »
Will the press conference of March 25 and the strong indignation it arouses be followed by a decline in the phenomenon? The match on March 26 will be an opportunity to verify this.
