Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior broke down in tears during a press conference while talking about racism ahead of Brazil’s friendly match against Spain on Tuesday night.
The Brazilian superstar admitted he was struggling to stay motivated to play football due to the repeated incidents of racist abuse from his time playing in La Liga.
Vinicius Junior has been a constant target of racist abuse, with a match against Valencia being halted for 10 minutes last year due to chanting and jeers from the Mestalla crowd.
Speaking to reporters, Vinicius Junior said (via The Guardian): “I just want to play football. But it’s getting harder and harder to focus – sometimes I just don’t feel like playing anymore.”
Many within the game have come out in support of Vinicius since his emotional breakdown, although former Paraguay goalkeeper Jose Luiz Chilavert used it as armour to slate the winger with a post on X containing homophobic terminology.
Pan y Circo,el primero que insulta y ataca a los rivales es el.Que No sea maricon,el fútbol es para hombres.
— José Luis FelixChilavert Gonzalez (@JoseLChilavert_) March 26, 2024
Manchester United defender and former Real Madrid team-mate Raphael Varane took to social media to share his message of support. It read: “You are powerful. You are special Vini. Your dreams and inspiration are stronger than any words that can ever be used against you.”
You are powerful. You are special @vinijr ✊🏾
Your dreams and inspiration are stronger than any words that can ever be used against you. pic.twitter.com/a47MWEDRHa
— Raphaël Varane (@raphaelvarane) March 25, 2024
Vinicius Junior deserves support during this difficult time, but perhaps he should consider leaving Spain? Especially if there’s no effort made to stop racist chanting in the stands.
The tricky forward would be welcome at Old Trafford.
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