Vinicius Junior was reduced to tears when speaking about the racism he has faced while playing for Real Madrid.
The superstar forward is set to line up at the Santiago Bernabeu in his international colours on Tuesday evening when Brazil face off against Spain in a heavyweight friendly.
Vinicius attended a pre-match press conference on Monday afternoon ahead of the game and was asked a number of questions about the racist abuse that he’s faced from opposition fans throughout his time playing in La Liga. The 23-year-old has recently been subjected to racist chanting from both Osasuna, Valencia fans and Atletico Madrid fans, with Real Madrid filing a hate crime regarding the latter at the Civitas Metropolitano.
Speaking to the press, Vinicius broke down in tears when discussing his situation: “It’s something quite sad, it’s something that happens here in every game, every day. Every legal complaint of mine makes me very sad.
“But like all the black people around the world, it’s something sad. This is something that is happening. Not only in Spain, but also around the world. It also happened to my father, they chose a white man over a black man. It’s something that I notice, and I fight because they have chosen me. I fight so that in the near future it won’t happen to anyone again.
“I feel supported by my teammates and by other footballers. I hope and wish that racism will decrease. The only thing left to do is work and continue on the path already started. Players send me messages of support.”
Despite his long-standing battle against racism, Vinicius insisted he has never considered leaving Madrid.
Vinicius in tears / Eurasia Sport Images/GettyImages
“I’ve never thought much about leaving here, because if I leave here, I am going to give the racists what they want,” he stressed.
“I want to continue here, at the best club in the world, so that they continue to have to see my face. I continue to evolve in to continue doing these things, to be the joy of all the people who go to the stadium.
“Racists are a minority, and it doesn’t always happen. But since I’m daring, I’m from Madrid, the best club in the world – it’s difficult. But I’m going to continue, because the president supports me, the club supports me. If I leave, it would be the triumph of the racist.
“I’m sure that Spain is not a racist country, but there are a lot racists in Spain, and many of them are in the stands. And that’s difficult. I have to explain what racism really is to many Spanish people, and how much it affects me. That my family end up sad in their house.
“I can play badly, but there are other ways to say that. I want to go to all of the stadiums in Spain with the peace of mind knowing that I will not be judged for the colour of my skin.”
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