(Madrid) In the space of two seasons, the Brazilian winger of Real Madrid Vinicius has risen among the best players in La Liga and in the world, but has also become, in spite of himself, a figure in the fight against racism, a scourge which plagues the Spanish stadiums.
“Black and imposing”, reacted Vinicius in the night from Monday to Tuesday, seeing that the statue of Christ the Redeemer, in Rio de Janeiro, had been extinguished in support. “But above all I want to shed more light on our fight,” he added.
With his swaying dribbles and his insolent speed, Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior managed to become “the most decisive player in the world”, according to his coach, and to win the hearts of Real fans.
But his ball-to-toe facilities aren’t to everyone’s liking. At each match, the supporters of the opposing team try to destabilize him as best they can, sometimes daring the worst: racist insults.
On Sunday, the 22-year-old striker was the target of all kinds of insults, including racist ones, during his side’s 1-0 defeat at Valencia. Incidents that set fire to the powder in Spain, where proven cases of racism have been increasing for several decades in stadiums, without leading to real criminal sanctions.
Precocious talent
Before becoming a figure in the fight against racism, Vinicius made people talk about him for his talent.
It was in Brazil, first, that “Vini” dazzled the public. Born in San Goncalo, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Vinicius exploded very young, even becoming at 16 the youngest Flamengo player to play a game.
Recruited by Real in 2018 for 46 million euros, “Vini” arrived with the halo of the Brazilian nugget that the merengue club was looking for, which had let Neymar slip away at FC Barcelona a few years earlier.
And after three seasons marked by major shortcomings in front of goals (only 14 goals in 118 appearances), “Vini” exploded in 2021-2022, under Carlo Ancelotti. In 2021-2022, he scored 22 goals, including the one that offered his 14e Champions League at Real against Liverpool. This season, he is already at 23.
“When he arrived, he was under enormous pressure. He was a meme supplier. But to receive so much criticism, so young, and to be able to climb into the top three or four players in the world, is something I have very rarely seen,” Madrid veteran Dani Carvajal said in May.
“Vinicius is the victim”
Criticized by Karim Benzema or by his own supporters, the Brazilian turned a deaf ear and continued to work in silence. During his outburst, those criticisms moved to the fan kops of opposing teams. And amplified, until they became insults.
This season, La Liga have filed eight complaints for incidents targeting the Brazilian gem. None has yet resulted in a criminal sanction. Time and time again, Vinicius has raised his voice, denouncing the inaction of the competent bodies, which has earned him a few spats with the most senior managers in Spanish football.
Sunday in Valencia, the attacker’s reaction served to expose to the world the “problem of racism” from which Spain suffers, as Ancelotti pointed out.
“Sometimes I hear that Vinicius is provocative, with his attitude… No. Let it be clear: Vinicius is a victim, he is not guilty, ”defended the Italian technician on Tuesday.
Of ” No game mas! (“I don’t play anymore!” in Spanish) by Samuel Eto’o in 2006 to the banana eaten by Dani Alvés in 2014, passing through the Inaki Williams or Mouctar Diakhaby cases in recent years: Spain is plagued by the scourge of racism in stadiums, often passed under the carpet.
But today, Vinicius’ reaction, beyond adding a line to this sinister history, could well serve as a detonator.