Real Madrid and Brazil star Vinicius Junior hopes that Spain will forfeit the opportunity to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup if racism continues to persist in the country.
The 2030 World Cup is set to be co-hosted by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain—the nation where Vinicius currently plays with Los Blancos.
“I hope that Spain can evolve and understand how serious it is to insult someone based on the colour of their skin,” Vinicius said, as quoted by Managing Madrid.
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“Until 2030, we have a very large margin for evolution.
“So I hope that Spain can evolve and understand how serious it is to insult a person based on the colour of their skin, because if by 2030 things do not improve, I think we need to change the location of the World Cup. If a player does not feel comfortable and safe playing in a country where he may suffer racism, it’s a bit complicated.”
“I want to do everything possible for things to change because there are many people in Spain, the majority, who are not racist.
“It is a small group that ends up affecting the image of a country where it is very good to live. I love playing for Real Madrid. I love Spain and having the best conditions to live here with my family,” he concluded.
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The 24-year-old has been subjected to racial abuse in Spain. In 2021, he was racially abused by a fan shouting “monkey” at him during Real Madrid’s 1-0 win over Barcelona in El Clasico.
During the 2022/23 season, the Brazilian star faced similar abuse when La Liga giants defeated their derby rivals, Atletico Madrid, with fans filmed outside the stadium chanting, “Vinicius, you’re a monkey.”
In the 73rd minute of Madrid’s 1-0 defeat to Valencia in 2023, Vinicius confronted fans behind one of the goals who had been shouting “monkey” at him and making gestures imitating the animal.
By Habeeb Kuranga
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