In an exclusive interview, Real Madrid forward Vinícius Jr. revealed that he and his teammates will walk off the pitch if faced with racist abuse during the season. Speaking with CNN Senior Sports Analyst Darren Lewis, the 23-year-old Brazilian opened up about the repeated incidents of racism he has endured and his resolve to fight back.
Vinícius has been a frequent target of racial abuse in Spanish football, particularly in away matches. Despite numerous high-profile incidents, he criticized the handling of the issue by local authorities and football governing bodies, calling for stronger measures to combat racism in the sport.
“The abuse is vile and unacceptable. It’s not just about me; it’s about making sure this stops for everyone,” Vinícius said.
A Season of Zero Tolerance
The Real Madrid winger has been vocal about the need for action, and now he’s making it clear that tolerance for such behavior has reached its limit. “This season, we will not hesitate to leave the field. It’s a matter of principle,” he stated.
Vinícius’ stance is backed by Real Madrid and several of his high-profile teammates. The club has pledged to support its players in confronting racism head-on, signaling a potential turning point in how football teams address the issue.
Widespread Racism in Spanish Football
Vinícius Jr. has been a lightning rod for discussions about racism in Spanish football, with incidents during La Liga matches garnering international condemnation. In a match against Valencia last season, Vinícius was subjected to sustained abuse from the stands, leading to global outrage and calls for reform.
Despite sanctions being handed to offending clubs, many have criticized the punishments as insufficient to deter future incidents. Vinícius hopes his stand will push football authorities to adopt stricter policies and provide greater protections for players.
Leading by Example
Vinícius Jr.’s leadership on and off the field underscores his commitment to making football more inclusive. As one of the sport’s brightest stars, his actions carry significant weight and could inspire other teams and players to follow suit in the fight against racism.
Real Madrid’s next match could be a test of this new zero-tolerance policy, as the team and its star forward brace for the possibility of making a bold statement against racism.
