Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior has made a powerful statement, declaring that he and his teammates are ready to walk off the pitch if he faces further racist abuse from fans during La Liga matches this season. The Brazilian forward, who has been targeted by racist chants multiple times, including a high-profile incident at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium in May 2023, spoke out in a recent interview with CNN.
Vinícius emphasized that the team has had discussions about how to handle such situations, and they are united in their decision to leave the field if racism persists. Reflecting on the Valencia incident, where the game was briefly halted after he identified abusive fans, Vinícius noted that the team initially chose to continue playing but now believes that walking off would send a stronger message.
“In the club, we talk about it more often,” Vinícius said. “Not just me, but all the players said that if that happens again, everyone has to leave the field, so those who insulted us face a much bigger penalty.”
The issue of racism in Spanish football has been a recurring problem, with La Liga gathering evidence of racist abuse and passing it on to local prosecutors, who have sometimes opted not to press charges. However, the conviction of three fans involved in the Valencia incident earlier this year marked a significant moment, as it was the first guilty verdict of its kind in Spain.
Vinícius expressed hope that the situation is gradually improving, noting that racist fans are becoming more hesitant to express their views publicly due to increased scrutiny. “Today, I already see and feel the difference in Spain,” he said. “Of course, we won’t be able to end it, but I’m already happy that I’m able to change Spain’s mindset.”
As racism continues to plague the sport, Vinícius and his teammates’ willingness to take a stand highlights the ongoing fight against discrimination in football.
