Vinícius Júnior has become the center of a racist rebellion in Spain. In the television program El Chiringuito Pedro Bravo, president of the association of agents in Spain, compared the Real Madrid star to a monkey. Vinicius has since responded, as has Real Madrid, which indicates that it is taking legal action against Bravo.
Bravo indicated in the television program that, according to him, Vinicius has little respect for his opponents. He compared the behavior of the winger during joy dances after goals to a monkey. Vinícius responded Friday night via Instagram to Bravo’s statements. “Sometimes they say that happiness irritates others,” writes the Brazilian. “The joy of a successful black Brazilian in Europe is even more irritating. But my desire to win, my smile and the twinkle in my eye are greater. I was the victim of a xenophobic, racist comment. But that didn’t start yesterday. Weeks ago my dances were criticized.”
Vinícius continues that the dances are not his. “They belong to people like Ronaldinho, Neymar, Antoine Griezmann and João Félix. From Brazilian funk and samba artists, reggaeton singers and black Americans. They are dances to celebrate the cultural diversity of the world. Accept it, respect it. I don’t stop it.”
Real Madrid has now indicated in a statement that it will take legal action against Bravo. “Real Madrid CF rejects all kinds of racist and xenophobic expressions and behavior in football, sport and life in general, such as the unfortunate and regrettable comments made in recent hours against our player Vinícius Júnior. Football, the most global sport in existence, should be an example of values and coexistence. The club has instructed lawyers to take legal action against anyone who is racist towards our players,” the statement read.