FAST DOWNLOAD
Real Madrid sensation Vinicius Junior couldn’t hold back the tears after being repeatedly asked about racism ahead of Brazil’s friendly with Spain.
Vinicius faced the press on Monday ahead of a blockbuster friendly clash between his home nation and the country he has lived in since 2018. Spain has, however, also been the setting of countless incidents of racist abuse aimed in his direction, prompting some reporters to question him on the subject. The 23-year-old was unable to hide his emotion and broke down in tears, calling for the end of “suffering for black people” before being met with applause.
In between tears during the press conference at Valdebebas, Madrid’s training ground, the Brazilian said: “I’m sorry. I just want to play football, do everything for my club and my family, never see black people suffering.”
❤️🩹🇧🇷 Vinicius got emotional during the Brazil's press conference after three questions about racism.
“I’m sorry. I just want to play football, do everything for my club and my family, never see black people suffering.pic.twitter.com/TVSj20vsCN
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 25, 2024
Vinicius has time and again proved himself to be one of the strongest players in world football, batting off countless racist attacks from rival fans. This includes matches he isn’t even playing in, as seen during Atletico’s clash with Inter in the Champions League earlier this month. Racism towards Vinicius has even come from leading figures within Spanish football and the media. Clearly, at 23 years of age and with enough weight on his shoulders playing for two of football’s most storied sides in Brazil and Real, such vile abuse has taken its toll on Vinicius.
As a result, Tuesday’s friendly against Spain will be a bittersweet one for the Real star. The Selecao go into that one on a high, too, after a Vinicius-inspired victory over England on Saturday.
