The Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior has spoken about his fight against racism, describing it as an ongoing battle that he is happy to take on, but warning that he alone “can’t fight all that Black people have been suffering”.
The Brazilian footballer has been at the forefront of fighting racism in La Liga after facing abuse at more than 10 Spanish grounds. In March he laid bare the toll exacted by years of racist insults, saying that the barrage of abuse was chipping away at his desire to play.
In a video published this week by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), Vinícius said he believed things were heading in the right direction.
“In the last three months, we have managed to put three or four individuals behind bars and hold them accountable for the crimes they committed,” he said. “I play in Spain, where I’ve suffered so much and still sometimes suffer, but it is easing with the help of all the clubs and all the people who are doing everything to combat racism, like the CBF.”
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His remarks come weeks after police in Spain arrested four men accused of coordinating an online hate campaign against him. Months earlier three Valencia fans were sentenced to eight months in prison for hate crimes against the 24-year-old, in what was described as Spain’s first conviction of its kind. In 2023 four people were arrested over accusations of hanging an effigy of Vinícius from a Madrid bridge.
Vinícius hailed the crackdown, describing it as “very important” when it comes to deterring others from publicly expressing racist opinions. “Any help is very welcome. Black people have been suffering for a long time, and the time has to come when all this has to end … let’s keep going together, firm and strong, so that future generations of children will have a better life.”
He described it as a battle the CBF and Fifa, along with the players, were in together. “I know how important I am, but I always say that it’s everyone’s fight, because I alone can’t fight all that Black people have been suffering.”
Speaking before Brazil’s Black Consciousness Day on 20 November, Vinícius said he was content, however, to be the voice of those unable to speak out.
“I know the strength I have, my speech, and I can speak for all those people who don’t have the strength, or who are afraid, or who go through many things and people don’t always believe them,” he said. “So I’m very happy to be able to help and to keep going strong in the fight, along with all the players and all the people who have been able to help us.”
In October Vinícius, long tipped as one of the favourites to win this year’s Ballon d’Or, said he believed his battle against racism had led him to lose out on the prestigious award.
“I will do it 10 times if I have to. They’re not ready,” Vinícius posted on social media after it was announced that Manchester City’s Rodri had won the men’s award. Sources later told Reuters that his view and that of his management staff was that “the football world is not ready to accept a player who fights against the system”.
