Exclusive: Vinícius Jr. Issues Vow on Racism After 16 Incidents in 18 Months and Lack of Protection

Vinicius Jr has pledged to continue leading the fight against racism in football with unwavering determination.

The Real Madrid star and Ballon d’Or contender has become a symbol for the new generation, using his prominence to challenge authority. Earlier this year, Vinicius was in tears as he discussed Spanish football’s failure to protect him after enduring sixteen incidents of racist abuse in just 18 months.

Ahead of Thursday’s Champions League draw for the new season, the 24-year-old Brazilian, who scored the winning goal against Dortmund in last season’s Final, declared he will not be silenced.

“Addressing racism is always challenging,” he said. “In my last season here in Madrid, it happened to me frequently—and it’s nothing compared to what ordinary people face on the streets. That interview was crucial not only for me but for everyone who supports me and gives me the strength to continue 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 issuing eight-month prison sentences to three men who directed racist remarks and gestures at Vinícius during a La Liga match at Mestalla Stadium in May 2023. La Liga described it as “the first conviction of its kind to be handed down in Spain.”

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The convicted individuals will also face two-year bans from all Spanish soccer matches. Vinícius commented, “Today, I already see and feel a difference in Spain. While racism may still exist, those who harbor such views are now afraid to express them on the football field and in places with many 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.”

In a dossier maintained by Vinícius, footage of racist slurs directed at him has been documented from several of Real Madrid’s matches, including games against Osasuna, Mallorca, Real Valladolid, and Atlético. Vinícius admitted that he and his Madrid teammates have discussed the possibility of taking their own action this season if the court ruling from June does not lead to significant changes.

“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.”

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