Real Madrid star, Vinicius Jr has renewed his attack on La Liga and the Spanish authorities, revealing he received death threats this season.
The Brazilian winger has been targeted with racism and hateful messages on 10 separate occasions, with racist chanting at Valencia on Sunday, and he has also been subjected to death threats from rival supporters at some away games with Madrid this season.
Vinicius’ LaLiga future is in doubt as the player is reportedly evaluating his position in Spain.
Meanwhile, his hometown of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil turned off the lights of the famous Christ the Redeemer statue on Corvocado in solidarity with the player.
Vinicius posted a picture of the statue bathed in darkness with a statement saying: ‘Black and imposing. Christ the Redeemer was just like that. An action of solidarity that moves me. But I want, above all, to inspire and bring more light to our struggle.
‘I really appreciate all the chain of affection and support I’ve received in the last few months. Both in Brazil and around the world. I know exactly who’s who. Count on me because the good ones are the majority and I won’t give up.
‘I have a purpose in life and if I have to suffer more and more so that future generations don’t go through similar situations, I’m ready and prepared.’
The Cristo Redentor Archdiocesan Sanctuary said: ‘(We) repudiate the racist attacks suffered by the Brazilian player Vinícius Júnior this Sunday, May 21, during a game between Real Madrid and Valencia.
‘(The) lighting (is) turned off as a symbol of the collective struggle against racism and in solidarity with the player and all those who suffer prejudice around the world.’
Writing online alongside a video that shows all the separate incidents of abuse he has been made to suffer, the Madrid talent wrote: ‘Every round away from home is an unpleasant surprise. And there were many this season.
‘Death wishes, hanged doll, many criminal screams… All registered. But the speech always falls on ‘isolated cases’, ‘a fan’. No, these are not isolated cases. They are continuous episodes spread across several cities in Spain (and even in a television program).
‘The evidence is there in the video. Now I ask: how many of these racists had names and photos exposed on websites? I answer to make it easier: zero’ he added.
‘None to tell a sad story or make those fake public apologies. What is missing to criminalize these people? And punish clubs sportingly? Why don’t sponsors charge La Liga? Don’t televisions bother to broadcast this barbarity every weekend?
‘The problem is very serious and communications no longer work. Not blaming me to justify criminal acts either. You are not football, you are inhuman.’
The video that accompanied the tweet, which has now received more than 7 million views on Twitter, documents the shocking level of abuse Vinicius has seen while participating in football.
Some of LaLiga’s most well-known figures have denounced the despicable actions, while others have made an effort to minimize Vinicius’ concerns.
Surprisingly, league head Javier Tebas argued that racism is not a problem in Spanish football and called Vinicius’ criticism “unfair.”
The Brazilian flair player was praised by Barcelona manager Xavi, who also claimed that football was “the only profession where insults are accepted.”
Vinicius was also comforted by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
Perez held a meeting with the player on Monday where he explained how the club will defend him.