Vinicius Jr: The most important player in football

Despite facing relentless and abhorrent racial abuse in Spain, Vinicius Jr, the winger for Real Madrid and Brazil, is leading the charge in football's battle against racism.

In May 2023, Gareth Southgate was questioned about his response to the racial mistreatment Vinicius Jr experienced during Real Madrid's match against Valencia at Mestalla. Southgate expressed his disgust at the situation, emphasizing that it serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing problem of racism in society. He highlighted the urgent need for change and expressed hope that something positive would emerge from such despicable incidents.

The silver lining in this grim scenario is Vinicius himself—a 23-year-old possessing extraordinary talent and even more remarkable resilience. He now stands as a symbol of football's ongoing struggle against racism as he prepares to face Southgate's England in an international friendly at Wembley Stadium.

The happiness of a black Brazilian

One of the most infuriating aspects of discussions surrounding racial abuse is the notion that victims are somehow to blame. Some argue that victims bring it upon themselves simply by enjoying themselves or merely existing.

This misguided belief suggests that racial abuse is a natural response to perceived provocation by those who are upset. As Pedro Bravo, the president of Spanish football agents, infamously stated in September 2022, "You have to respect your opponents. When you score a goal, if you want to dance Samba, you should go to sambodromo in Brazil. You have to respect your opponents and stop playing the monkey."

However, the issue has never been about the act of dancing itself. Vinicius has always been acutely aware of what incites anger in many people in Spain. It's "the happiness of a black Brazilian" that provokes them—and for a long time, few black Brazilians in La Liga embodied the spirit of jogo bonito more than Vinicius.

Incessant racist abuse

Every time Vinicius stepped onto the field, he reveled in the joy of playing the game—a joy that stirred resentment among rival fans. While some, like Bravo, attempted to justify their animosity towards Vinicius by pointing to alleged disrespect and diving, it was abundantly clear that the root cause lay in his skin color.

Following the El Chiringuito broadcast, Atletico Madrid fans were caught chanting "You're a monkey, Vinicius, you're a monkey" outside the Metropolitano stadium before a Liga match against Real Madrid. In another disturbing incident, Atletico supporters hung a black effigy adorned in a Vinicius Junior jersey from a bridge in the Spanish capital ahead of a Madrid derby in January of the previous year.

During Barcelona's La Liga title celebrations on May 15, chants of "Die, Vinicius!" marred the atmosphere. Just six days later, in a match against Valencia at Mestalla, referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea temporarily halted play after Vinicius brought attention to the racial abuse directed at him by a significant portion of home fans. The insults flagged in the referee's official report included phrases such as, "Fcking black, you're an idiot", "Fcking black son of a btch", and "Monkey, you're a fcking monkey".

It wasn't one person shouting

Vinicius's understandable fury prompted Carlo Ancelotti to consider substituting him off the field during the match. Ancelotti emphasized that it wasn't just one individual shouting, but the entire crowd.

"The game needs to be stopped. It's impossible to continue," Ancelotti asserted. "I informed the referee that I was planning to substitute him. I've never contemplated removing a player due to fan insults before. I'm deeply upset. All Vinicius wants to do is play football. He's not angry, just saddened."

Despite Ancelotti's efforts to calm the situation, Vinicius's anger boiled over when play resumed after a 10-minute delay. In injury time, he was sent off for reacting to Valencia striker Hugo Duro, who had previously put Vinicius in a headlock but went unpunished.
Vinicius took to Instagram afterward, expressing frustration at the outcome: "The racists won with my sending-off! It's not football, it's La Liga." He went on to criticize Spain for exporting a racist image to the world and lamented the perception of Spain as a nation of racists.

His statement, particularly the last line suggesting he might leave Spain to escape racial abuse, sparked intense scrutiny. It hinted at the possibility of Vinicius quitting Spain in the face of ongoing racial mistreatment.

Sad reality

Vinicius has unfortunately become a focal point for racial abuse, enduring targeting from supporters across Spain, even in venues where he's not playing. Recently, both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid fans engaged in racist chants directed at Vinicius before their Champions League matches against Napoli and Inter, respectively.

In a sharply sarcastic social media post, Vinicius expressed his disappointment, stating, "I hope you have already thought about their punishment. It's a sad reality that even happens in games in which I'm not present!"

This relentless hatred is a stark indication of the depth of the animosity he faces. Despite this, Vinicius not only manages to endure but also continues to excel on the field. His consistent performances for Real Madrid, delivered almost weekly, are remarkable given the toxic environment he navigates.

Vinicius' recent return to Mestalla serves as a prime example. Despite the hostile atmosphere, he showcased his talent and resilience, highlighting his ability to thrive even in the face of adversity.

Picture of defiance

The Standing Committee of the State Commission against Violence, Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance in Sport in Spain deemed the match as "high-risk," highlighting the concerns surrounding potential incidents. Valencia even declined requests from Netflix, who are producing a documentary about Vinicius' life, to enter the stadium or interview their players.

Despite assurances from Valencia player Duro that the environment would be respectful, Vinicius faced racial abuse once again during the match. However, this time, there was no reward for the perpetrators—only a powerful display of defiance.

After scoring Real Madrid's first goal, Vinicius responded by raising his right arm and clenching his fist—a significant and poignant reference to Tommie Smith and John Carlos' black power salute at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.