Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jnr has vowed to take a stand against racism if he encounters abuse during the upcoming Spanish football season. The Brazilian international has been targeted with racial abuse 16 times over the past 18 months while playing for the club.
In a recent interview with The Mirror, Vinicius Jnr revealed that he and his Real Madrid teammates have discussed a united response to potential future incidents. The plan is to walk off the pitch as a team if any player is subjected to racial abuse.
"In the club, we talk about it more often," Vinicius said. "Not just me, but all players agreed that if it happens, everyone has to leave the field so that those who insult us face significant consequences."
The 24-year-old recalled a specific incident from May 2023, during a match against Valencia, where he was sent off after reacting to racist abuse from the stands. Vinicius's red card was later rescinded, and three individuals were sentenced to eight months in prison for their racist behavior—a landmark conviction in Spain, according to LaLiga.
Vinicius Jnr expressed optimism about the changing attitude towards racism in Spain, noting, "I already see and feel the difference. Today, maybe they are still racists, but they are afraid to express themselves on the football field, where there are many cameras."
He emphasized that while completely eradicating racism may be challenging, the progress made in recent months—such as the imprisonment of those who insulted him—marks an important step forward. "It's something that will always be remembered. Each time they do it again, we will make sure they face consequences for making Black people suffer," he added.
The Real Madrid star's commitment to confronting racism highlights a broader effort within the sport to address and combat discriminatory behavior both on and off the field.
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