Real Madrid Star Vinicius Jr. Vows Strong Stand Against Racism After Enduring Abuse 16 Times in 18 Months in Spain
Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr. has pledged to take a firm stand against racism if he encounters abuse during matches in Spain this season.
The two-time Champions League winner and Ballon d’Or contender has been subjected to racist abuse 16 times in the past 18 months while playing for Real Madrid.
Vinicius Jr. has discussed this issue with his Madrid teammates, strategizing on how to respond if further incidents occur in the coming months.
The 24-year-old Brazilian international revealed that the entire team has agreed to walk off the pitch if any player is racially abused by fans.
“In the club, we talk about it more often,” he told The Mirror. “Not just me, but all players said that if that happens, the next time everyone has to leave the field so that all of those people who insulted us have to pay a much bigger price than they’re paying.”
Referring to a May 2023 match against Valencia, Vinicius Jr. explained that the team now believes leaving the pitch is the right course of action if faced with racist abuse. In that game, he was sent off after reacting angrily to racist taunts from the stands and getting into an altercation with a Valencia player. His red card was later rescinded, and three men were sentenced to eight months in prison in June for their racist remarks and gestures towards him.
LaLiga noted that this was “the first conviction of its kind to be handed down in Spain,” and Vinicius Jr. believes that the attitude toward racism in the country is slowly evolving.
“I already see and feel the difference in Spain. Today—maybe they are still racists—but nowadays they are afraid to express themselves on the football field, and in places where there are a lot of cameras.”
He added, “With that, we will reduce racism, little by little. Of course, we won’t be able to end it, but I’m already happy that I’m able to change Spain’s mindset. In the last few months, there were three people who were jailed for insulting me in one of the games.”
Vinicius Jr. emphasized that this milestone will be remembered in history, as it was the first time such a punishment was enforced, and it sets a precedent for holding individuals accountable for racist behavior.