16 incidents in 18 months: Vinicius Jr reveals his new stance on racism

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has vowed to continue leading football’s fight against racism despite facing multiple incident in recent months.

Vinicius has established himself as a superstar and has ensured his platform is used to speak truth to power. Having faced sixteen incidents of racist abuse in 18 months, the Brazilian has insisted that he will not be silenced.

Speaking ahead of Thursday’s Champions League draw for the new season, the 24-year-old Brazilian – said: “Talking about racism is always very difficult because in the last season here in Madrid. ““It has happened to me a lot – and it’s not even close to what normal people suffer in the streets. So that interview was very important not only for me, but for all the people who trust me and gave me a lot of strength so I can keep fighting for all Black people who suffer daily.

“Each day I have more strength and more wisdom to be able to talk about it and to be able to be – not a shield – but someone who will defend them every time I am able to talk about racism about all those people who suffer a lot, across the world.”

In June, a Valencia court made history by ordering eight month prison sentences for three men who made racist remarks and gestures toward Vinícius at a La Liga match at the Mestalla Stadium in May 2023.

The convicted men will also face two-year stadium bans for all Spanish soccer matches. Vinicius added: “Today. I already see and feel the difference in Spain. Today – maybe they are still racists – but nowadays they are afraid to express themselves in the football field, and in places where there are a lot of cameras.

“And with that we will reduce racism, little by little. Of course we won’t be able to end it but I’m already happy that I’m being able to change Spain’s mindset. In the last few months there were three people who were jailed for insulting me in one of the games.

“That’s something that will always be stamped in history. Because it was the first time and each time they do it again, it will be possible to make them pay for making Black people suffer.”

Vinicius added that he and his Madrid team-mates have discussed taking their own action this season if the court action in June doesn’t change things this season.

“In the club we talk about it more often,” he says. “Not just me, but all players said that if that happens, the next time everyone has to leave the field so that all of those people who insulted us have to pay a much bigger price than they’re paying.

“In the case of what happened in Valencia, after the game – after we thought about it – everyone said that the right thing to do is to leave the field, but because you are there defending a team, we know that not everyone in the stadium is racist and were just there to watch the game.

“It’s always very difficult to end a game but with everything that’s been happening, that each time is getting worse, we do need to leave the field so things can change as soon as possible.”