Vinícius in tears over racism: ‘I just want to play football’،
Brazilian Vinícius Júnior broke down in tears during Monday's press conference as he admitted he had “less will to play” due to the racist abuse he suffered in Spain.
The Real Madrid striker, however, said he has no plans to leave La Liga despite the racist chants he has heard from opposition fans since arriving at Madrid more than five years ago.
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“I’ve been watching this for a long time and I feel more and more sad,” Vinícius said. “I feel like playing less and less. With every complaint I feel worse, but I have to appear here and show my face.
“I asked for help from UEFA, FIFA, CONMEBOL, CBF… they can fight this. The problem that exists in Spain is that racism is not a crime. “
Vinícius spoke in Madrid ahead of Brazil's international friendly against Spain, a match organized by the two federations to raise awareness of racism.
“I'm sure Spain is not a racist country, but there are a lot of racists and a lot of them are in the stadiums,” he said. “We have to change because many of them don't know what racism is. At 23, I have to teach many Spaniards what racism is…”
Vinícius has been a leading voice in the fight against racism. Last year, the “Vinícius Júnior law” was adopted in Brazil to combat racism during sporting events.
“Playing football is important, but fighting racism is very important,” he said. “Let colored people have a normal life. If that were the case, I would attend my club's matches only focusing on the game. The only thing I want is to continue playing and for everyone world have a normal life.
“Of course, because there are so many people in football, so many better players than me who have come through here, and I want to make sure that people around the world can develop and improve. And that we can have equality.
“That in the very near future we can have fewer cases of racism and black people can have a normal life like everyone else. I want to continue fighting for this. Even because, as I said before , if it was just for me, I would have given up, because I stay at home, where no one will insult me, I go to matches with my head focused on the game to be able to do the best for my team.
“It's not always possible, so I have to concentrate very hard every day,” he added before bursting into tears and receiving applause from those present at the press conference.
Vinícius then spoke about the media's approach to reporting on the abuse he suffered.
“I think they need to talk less about everything I'm doing wrong on the pitch, that of course I need to evolve and improve, but I'm only 23 and it's a natural process.” , did he declare. “I left Brazil very young and I wasn't able to learn many things. I study. I'm 23 and I'm still studying. Why do they, the journalists here, who are older than me, can't they study and you see what's really happening? I'm getting sadder and sadder, I want to play less and less… But I'm going to keep fighting.
“Above all, I understand [strength] from my family, fans and those people who give me messages of encouragement to continue fighting for those who need it.”
LaLiga has filed numerous complaints in Spanish courts over allegations of racist and hateful insults directed at Vinícius, but many have been dismissed.
Arrests have been made by Spanish police following racist episodes over the past year.
“The lack of punishment is what frustrates me the most, that nothing happens to everyone who does this,” Vinícius said.
Vinícius, who has a contract with Real Madrid until June 2027, is determined to continue playing in Spain.
“I never thought about leaving La Liga, otherwise I would give the racists what they want,” he said.
“I will continue in the best club in the world, scoring a lot of goals so that they continue to see me. The racists are a minority. As I am a daring player, who plays for Madrid and we win a lot of titles.. . It's very complicated. I'm going to continue because the president supports me, the club supports me and I'm going to continue to win a lot of things.”
The Spanish government highlighted the work of a permanent commission created to combat violence, racism, xenophobia and intolerance in sport. The commission, which includes the Spanish league, authorities and the football federation, has already sanctioned clubs with fines and issued stadium bans, while preventing fans from attending matches for long periods and making them pay heavy fines.
