Vinicius Jr. said his desire to play soccer is diminishing as incidents of racist abuse against him continue to mount in Spain, during a tearful media appearance for Brazil on Monday.
The Real Madrid striker has been the victim of abuse from opposition fans on several occasions in recent years, with an incident in Valencia in May last year sparking global outrage.
Vinicius’ Brazil will face Spain on Tuesday at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium under the slogan ‘One Skin’ to help fight racism.
“I have seen this (racism) for a long time, and each time I feel sadder, and each time I want to play less,” Vinicius told reporters.
😢 Vinicius se rrumbó en rueda de prensa.
👏🏻 All periodicals present in the rompieron room in aplausos hacia él.
🎥 @JorgeCPicon pic.twitter.com/PUWbvmxAx5
–Relevo (@relevo) March 25, 2024
The 23-year-old broke down at one point after answering questions about the racist abuse he suffered at different stadiums in Spain.
The striker, however, said he would not leave La Liga and play in another country to escape the abuse.
“I would give the racists what they want,” he said. “I will stay at the best club in the world, scoring as many goals as possible so they keep watching me.”
Read | Vinicius Jr. and incidents of racist abuse in Spanish football
Vinicius said he wished he could only think about his playing career.
“Playing football is very important, but the fight against racism is extremely important,” he said.
“I want colored people to have normal lives and if that were the case, I would go to my club’s matches just focusing on the game.”
Read | How European leagues deal with racist abuse
Meanwhile, Spain defender and Vinicius teammate Dani Carvajal has denied his country is racist.
“I’m sure Spain is not a racist country, but there are a lot of racists here and a lot of them are in the stadiums,” Vinicius said.
“Since the first time I complained about racism in Spain, it has exploded… they insult me because of the color of my skin so I play less well on the pitch.
“They can tell me many other things and I won’t say anything, I hope I can go to the stadiums and not think about what could happen.”
He condemned Atletico Madrid fans for racist chants directed at them ahead of their Champions League clash against Inter Milan.
“It’s a sad reality that happens even during matches where I’m not present,” Vinicius told social media platform X.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said in November that Vinicius had become “unfortunately accustomed” to racism in Spain.
“The ugliest thing”
📸 𝗔 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆!@willliamsssnicoLamine Yamal, @vinijr And @RodrygoGoes support the fight against racism in front of Brazil 🆚 Spain.
ℹ️ https://t.co/eQTx1NTI50#VamosEspaña #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/RLFTxkX26L
– Spanish Football (@SpainIsFootball) March 25, 2024
Carvajal said he didn’t think his country was racist, but admitted that racist slurs were the “ugliest” thing in sports.
“Unfortunately, there are people who go to football and it seems to give vent to their rage, their anger,” Carvajal said.
“When it seems like it’s hurting someone, they do it more and that’s a shame.”
“These kinds of people should not be allowed into stadiums, because it is the ugliest thing that exists in sport.”
Spain come into the friendly following a 1-0 defeat to Colombia as they continue their preparations for Euro 2024.
Brazilian coach Dorival Junior said 17-year-old starlet Endrick would not make the playing XI but would likely come in as a substitute to bow out at the home of his future club Real Madrid.
Palmeiras striker Endrick, who joined Vinicius at Madrid this summer, scored the winner against England on Saturday.
“Endrick will not start, he will undoubtedly bring a lot of joy to Real Madrid, he has a bright future,” Dorival said.
“I think Endrick will have his moment.”
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente said comparisons with legendary Brazilian striker Pele were unfair to the teenager.
“He is 17 years old, he is a very good player, like us too, but you have to give him time and above all be careful,” said De la Fuente.
“To think he could be the next Pelé would put a lot of pressure and stress on him.”
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