Rodrygo racially abused on social media after Brazil loss

Rodrygo said he received racist insults on social media after Brazil’s 1-0 World Cup qualifying defeat to Argentina in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday.

The match at the Maracana stadium started almost 30 minutes late after clashes between Brazilian police and Argentine fans in the stands.

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Nicolás Otamendi’s 63rd-minute goal for world champions Argentina was enough to hand Brazil their first ever home defeat in World Cup qualifying, leaving them sixth in the CONMEBOL standings with just seven points in six matches.

As both teams waited on the pitch for the match to begin, television footage showed Brazilian striker Rodrygo in a heated discussion with Argentina captain Lionel Messi and midfielder Rodrigo de Paul.

In a post on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Rodrygo said he had been targeted by racists on social media after the match.

“The racists are still in service,” he said. “My social networks have been invaded by insults and absurdities of all kinds. It’s there, for all to see!

“If we don’t do what they want, if we don’t behave the way they think we should, if we wear something that bothers them, if we don’t lower our heads when we are attacked, if we occupy spaces that they “I think it’s on them alone, racists are acting with his criminal behavior. Their bad luck. We won’t stop!”

Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo’s teammate at Brazil and Real Madrid, offered his support soon after, tweeting: “We won’t stop!”

Vinícius was the target of racist insults on several occasions from opposition fans while playing for Real Madrid in La Liga. A criminal case against three Valencia fans who allegedly racially insulted him during Madrid’s match at the Mestalla in May is ongoing.

Ahead of the Argentina match, Vinicius launched a campaign against racism in Brazil this week, with posters bearing messages appearing on billboards in cities across the country.