Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has become the latest big name in football to offer his support to Brazil teammate and Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior.
The Brazil international was subjected to racist abuse from Valencia fans.
Vini Jr was taunted throughout the game – by members of the opposition as well as Valencia fans – which led to an on-field altercation between the two sides.
Despite getting a horrid time with racism, the referee decided to give Vini Jr a red card for striking an opponent in the face.
Real Madrid have since opened legal proceedings, with Manchester United midfielder Casemiro offering his support to Vini Jr with a post on Instagram, as seen below:
Casemiro on Instagram ❤️ pic.twitter.com/oJRTW57ch5
— utdreport (@utdreport) May 22, 2023
In the aftermath of last night’s race row, Vinicius Jr took to Twitter to call LaLiga and Spain racist.
“It was not the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in LaLiga. The competition considers it normal, the federation considers it normal and the rivals encourage it.
“The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano (Ronaldo) and (Lionel) Messi today belongs to the racists.
“A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but which accepted to export to the world the image of a racist country. I am sorry for those Spaniards who disagree but today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists.
“I am strong and I will go all the way against the racists. Even if it is far away from here.”
Não foi a primeira vez, nem a segunda e nem a terceira. O racismo é o normal na La Liga. A competição acha normal, a Federação também e os adversários incentivam. Lamento muito. O campeonato que já foi de Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano e Messi hoje é dos racistas. Uma nação…
— Vini Jr. (@vinijr) May 21, 2023
It remains to be seen whether this changes Vini Jr’s mind about playing in Spain. Maybe he would fancy a change in a city like Manchester?
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That’s not really good for a country like spain