Growing up in Brazil, my 12-year-old son Miguel absolutely loves Vini Jr., the Brazilian superstar. While I´m a white American, my son´s mother is African-Brazilian. But Miguel doesn´t care at all about Vini´s skin color. He adores this incredible Junior because he´s lightning-fast. Moreover, he constantly twists dizzy defenders inside out with his elastic soccer dribbles.
How Does Vini Jr. Handle Spain´s Rampant Racism?
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The fact that Vini Jr. does a dance or two after scoring glorious goals for a couple of the world´s best teams, Brazil and Real Madrid, only makes him more fun to watch. Yet Vini Jr. has been a target of racism in Spain since joining the Real Madrid giants in the country´s capital. He´s still only 23. However, he´s been forced to grow up way too fast to handle the constant abuse.
In a press conference on March 25, 2024, this never-ending battle against racism reduced the Brazilian superstar to tears. Just before the so-called friendly match between Brazil and Spain on Spanish soil (which ended in an amicable 3-3 tie), the star revealed how the battle has worn on him.
“It’s been incredibly tough, and I’ve struggled a lot because of everything that’s been happening to me. It’s exhausting because you feel quite alone in this battle. Despite my numerous complaints, no one is held accountable, no club faces punishment. Every day, I fight for all those who will come. Because if it were just for me and my family, I think I would have given up everything I’ve been fighting for,” admitted Vini Jr. to Agência Brasil.
Brazilian Superstar Not Alone In This Fight
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But Vini is not alone. Another perhaps even more famous Júnior, a non-stop midfield maestro for Brazil and Flamengo in the early 1980s, suffered racist taunts along with his family while playing in Italy. Daniel Alves, one of the greatest attacking backs for Barcelona and Brazil in recent memory, picked up a banana hurled at him by a Villareal fan along the end line in 2015. He calmly peeled it, took a bite, and then whipped in a corner kick to help Barça win yet another thriller, 3-2.
Vini Jr. is working now to help rid the world of racism, for himself and others to follow. That´s because we´ve moved firmly out of the Middle Ages. There´s no place for racism in the world anymore. The Brazilian superstar says he even studies the subject to beat it.
“Each day when I return home, I feel more disheartened. But I’ve been chosen to champion such an important cause. I study more about [racism] daily, learning so that very shortly, my five-year-old brother won’t have to endure what I’m going through,” the Brazilian superstar striker affirmed. By the way, Vini Jr. has reported no less than 10 racist incidents to La Liga officials, Agência Brasil reported.
Also Read: Man United: Two Players’ Agitated Actions During FA Cup Celebrations Will Affect Their Careers
Is Spain a Racist Country?
In a survey released last year, 25% of Spaniards between the ages of 15 and 29 (most of them males) admit to racist or xenophobic views. Their racial hatred is directed mainly at Gypsies and individuals from sub-Saharan Africa and Morocco. Data from Spain’s interior ministry confirmed that Spanish police looked into 639 racist or xenophobic incidents in 2021. That was a considerable 24% hike compared to 2019.
At the same time, studies show that racist incidents in Spain are highly underreported. Previously, Atletico fans were filmed calling the Brazilian superstar a ´monkey.´ But prosecutors let the case go since the chants “lasted only a few seconds.” How long racial abuse lasts doesn´t determine its gravity.
In a turn of events, the racial abuse showered on Vini Jr. by Valencia fans in May 2023 led to three rapid arrests. Police cuffed four others in conjunction with a dummy, sporting Vini Jr.´s shirt, that was hung from a bridge in the Spanish capital just before a game against rivals Atletico Madrid. “I´m sorry for those Spaniards who disagree,” the Brazilian superstar added, “but today in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists.” Brazilian president Lula got into the act, insisting that FIFA and La Liga exercise ´serious measures.´
Alex Cope writes that Spain must understand that football isn´t just a reflection of society at large. It can also act as a pioneer in bringing about change. Inaction in football tells the country that racist views are acceptable in public debate. And this message is not only domestic as La Liga is a leading product that takes Spain to the world. It can´t allow scenes in its stadiums to paint such a portrayal of an overtly racist nation.
It´s high time to stop the hurting, isn´t it, Vini Jr.
For More Great Content
Prolific soccer writer Will Beebe, a lifelong Brazil fan, works hard to ensure that racism is a figment of the past.
