Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior broke down in tears during a Monday news briefing as he revealed a pattern of racist abuse he continues to face, even as he was one of Real Madrid’s most popular and talented Black soccer players.
During the emotional press conference, the 23-year-old phenom talked about how persistent racist encounters over the past few years had tested his commitment to the sport and left him feeling discouraged.
But he made it clear that he refuses to be intimidated or forced out of Spain, emphasizing his strong determination to stand up against discrimination in the country where he has been playing professionally since 2018.
The emotional toll of the abuse was evident on Monday as Vinicius got choked up while speaking to a room full of reporters about being persistently targeted, ignored by officials, or belittled due to his skin color — encounters that have become part of his daily life in Spain.
"I just want to play football, but it's hard to move forward; I feel less and less like playing,” Vinicius said, his expression revealing the personal pain he feels.
A tearful Vinicius Junior of Brazil during a press conference ahead of the friendly match between Spain and Brazil at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on March 25, 2024, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images)
The deeply moving press conference took place as Brazil prepared to face Spain in an exhibition match at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid. It was also part of an anti-racism campaign under the slogan “One skin.”
During remarks, Vinicius expressed the challenges of reconciling his personal values with the racism he faces from some fans, admitting that it was "hard to move forward" and overcome constant threats and verbal abuse.
However, when asked if he had considered leaving the country and returning to his native Brazil, Vinicius stated, "It never crossed my mind because if I leave Spain, I give the racists exactly what they want.”
Vinicius said the persistence of the situation had strengthened his resolve and emboldened him to confront the racists by continuing to show up in his daily life.
"I will stay because that way the racists can continue to see my face more and more,” he told the room in a gripping moment as the room fell silent. “I’m a bold player. I play for Real Madrid, and we win a lot of titles, and that doesn't sit well with a lot of people.”
Vinicius has faced numerous racist incidents in recent seasons, including disparaging “monkey” chants from Atletico Madrid fans before a game in September 2022 and last June, when four men were fined for hanging a racist effigy of Vinicius.
The athlete responded by filming the incidents and posting the videos to social media to expose the unprovoked hate he faces in Spain.
“When will it be enough?” Vinicius wrote in a message accompanying the video.
