“We are Vinicius.”
The Real Madrid-Layo Vallecano match at the Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain, on Sept. 25 (ET) was a show of solidarity against racism in support of Vinicius.
Real Madrid striker Vinicius Junior was the victim of an ugly racist attack during the team’s 0-1 loss to Valencia on April 22. It was a bad result and a bad atmosphere. Vinicius was sent off for violent conduct in the 97th minute after an altercation with Hugo Duro, a late substitute. “The trophy that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Messi, today belongs to racists,” Vinicius claimed on Instagram after the match. Vinicius went on to speak out against racist behavior throughout La Liga. “Every round, from home to away, there have been incredible scenes, not pleasant, death threats, but the public statements always say ‘a specific case’ or ‘one fan’. It’s not. This is not a specific case. It’s a story that has been going on in several cities in Spain. The evidence is in the video. How many of these racists have had their names and photos exposed on websites. I can easily answer that. Zero. No one is talking about this sad story and the fake apology,” he criticized.
On the 25th, Real Madrid players took to the field in matching jerseys bearing Vinicius’ name and number 20. The Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano players made their solidarity with Vinicius clear before the game by holding up a banner against racism that read “Racism, get out of soccer!”. The sending off was overturned, but Vinicius, who was not on the roster 스포츠토토 due to a minor knee injury, took to the field before the game to show his support for the home fans. Fans clapped in solidarity against racism in the first 20 minutes of the game in honor of Vinicius’ number 20. Watching from the stands, Vinicius stood up and raised his hand to show his appreciation. “We are all Vinicius. Enough (of racism)!” and a banner reading “We are all Vinicius!” was displayed in the stands. After scoring the game-winning goal with a two-dash in the 44th minute, Hodriguez made a gesture toward Vinicius. He bowed his head and raised his right fist in an emphatic gesture of support for Vinicius. He shot a heart into the stands where Vinicius was sitting.