“I Am Sorry, I Just Want To Play Football…” Vinicius Junior Breaks Down Over Racial Abuse (image-Instagram/ fabriziorom)
The Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior broke down in tears when he was quizzed on the racial abuse ahead of Brazil’s clash with Spain. Unable to hold on to his tears, when the Brazilian star covered his face, the journalists across the room cheered him up with applause.
Vinicius has been a regular victim of racism, especially on the ground of Spain. Fans abused him even in his absence. Several Spanish media vilified the Brazilian star despite the abuses he receives on a daily basis.
He during the press conference said that he only wanted to play football and wished to never see black people suffering. He also added that he would not leave the club despite being subject to racial abuse by the crowd because that would give the racists what they want.
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“I have never been thought about leaving Spain, because that would be giving the racists what they want. I’m not going to leave the best club in the world. I’m going to remain firm and strong because the president and the club support me”, Vinicius said.
The 23-year-old has faced numerous instances of racial abuse in recent seasons. Determined not to be shaken off, he has so far scored 12 goals in 20 appearances in La Liga and scored 18 goals in 28 games in all competitions.
In the last season, there were 10 such instances reported to prosecutors by La Liga, with the 23-year-old most recently the subject of racist chanting by Atletico Madrid fans before a Champions League game against Inter Milan. And he has also faced widespread criticism in Spain for standing up against racism.
Last week, the player filed a complaint against referee Juan Martinez Munuera, who took charge of their win at Osasuna for omitting alleged racist abuse towards Vinicius from his match report.
