Excited, Vini Jr opens up about racism: ‘I just want to play football’

After beating England, the Brazilian team turns its attention to the friendly against Spain, this Tuesday (26th), at 5.30pm (Brasilia time). One of Real Madrid’s star players, Vini Jr. exudes talent on the pitch, but also represents a much bigger fight off the pitch. In a press conference, the striker became emotional when speaking about the racism he had to face playing for the Merengue team and his role as a leader of the cause.

“I’m more and more sad, I have less desire to play. But I will continue to fight,” said the 23-year-old forward, before adding:

“For all the people who support me, follow me and send me more messages to fight with them. I have great strength within me, in my family, at home. Not everyone has the support that I have at home. Who can speak for so many people. I want to play football, follow them, who know what I go through and have really been through. And this is very difficult”, he added.

Impunity in Spain

It is worth mentioning that the striker was the victim of racial insults and discrimination on more than one occasion while wearing the Real Madrid shirt. In February, in fact, La Liga had reported yet another case of racism against the player, in a duel against Getafe, and had sent him to the Anti-Violence Commission of the Spanish federation. However, the impunity due to the fact that the act is not racist in Spain bothers the player.

“Lack of punishments. If we start punishing all the people who commit crimes, and here they don’t consider it a crime, we will evolve and it will be better for everyone. I make many complaints, I get letters to sign. In the end, it happens as it happened with mine friend in Barcelona and they close the case and don’t know anything,” he said:

“If we punish, they will not change their way of thinking, but they will be afraid to speak and so we will reduce this and put fear in those people. May they educate their children. There are children who curse me and I don’t. Their fault, too I didn’t understand the racism of this era. And that’s very complicated,” he explained.

“In football there are many people and players better than me who have passed through here. I want people to evolve, improve and for there to be equality in the near future. Fewer cases of racism and for blacks to have a normal life. Life as everyone else. I’m crying. That’s why. If it had been up to me I would have given up and no one would have cursed me at home. I go into the game focusing on the game, it’s not always possible to give my best for “My team. So I have to concentrate a lot every day. I just want to play football and do the best for my family,” she concluded.

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