Real Madrid has denounced the use of racist language to denigrate forward Vinícius Júnior, popularly known as Vini jr. Check out news here.
Vini Jr. : News | Racism | Celebration | Jersey number
Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior, commonly known as Vinícius Júnior or Vini Jr. is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a winger for La Liga club Real Madrid and the Brazil national team.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior | ||
| Date of birth | 12 July 2000 | ||
| Place of birth | São Gonçalo, Brazil | ||
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Winger | ||
Considered as one of the best players in the world, he is known for his dribbling skills, high pace and shooting.
Born in São Gonçalo, Vinícius began his professional career at Flamengo, where he made his senior debut in 2017, at age 16.
A few weeks later, Vinícius was the subject of a transfer to La Liga club Real Madrid, for whom he signed for in a £38 million deal, which was a national record for an U-18 player.
The transfer was made effective after his 18th birthday, with Vinícius debuting for the club in 2018–19.
By his fourth season, Vinícius established himself as a prominent member in Real Madrid’s squad, helping the club win the 2021–22 La Liga title and scoring the winning goal in Real Madrid’s 2022 UEFA Champions League Final win.
Vini jr news
Pele, Neymar and other big names in Brazilian football voiced outrage Friday over a Spanish agent’s allegedly racist comments on Brazil and Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior, whom he urged to stop “acting like a monkey.”
Pedro Bravo, the head of the Spanish Football Agents’ Association (AEAF), made the comment Thursday on the “Chiringuito Show,” one of Spain’s top football TV programs, telling the 22-year-old player to stop celebrating his goals with his trademark dance moves.
The remarks touched a nerve in Brazil, where black players have been heckled with racist taunts by fans mimicking monkeys.
“Although, unfortunately, racism still exists, we will not allow that to stop us from continuing to smile. And we will continue to fight racism every day in this way: fighting for our right to be happy and respected.”
Paris Saint-Germain striker Neymar tweeted “BAILA VINI JR” — Portuguese for “dance” — echoing a hashtag, #BailaViniJr, that was the top trending topic on Twitter in Brazil.
Vini jr racism
Real Madrid has denounced the use of racist language to denigrate forward Vinícius Júnior.
The Brazilian has been the focus of a debate in Spanish sports talk shows and sports news programs about the appropriateness of him dancing when he scores goals.
But Madrid was moved to issue a statement in defense of its player after a guest on a televised sports talk show reportedly said Vinícius, who is Black, should stop “doing the monkey.”
The club said in the statement on Friday that it “rejects all types of racist and xenophobic expression and behavior in soccer, sports and life in general, such as the regrettable and unfortunate comments in recent hours directed toward our player Vinícius Júnior.”
The club added it would take legal action against anyone who used racist language against its player.
The debate regarding Vinícius’ goal celebrations was sparked after Atlético Madrid’s Koke Resurrección said “there could be trouble” if the Madrid forward dances after a goal on Sunday in the Madrid derby to be played at Atlético’s stadium.
Celebration
Vinicius Jr. has been on a football high. An absolute menace of a winger who has been a nightmare for defenders given his pace, dribbling skills and goal scoring prowess.
Recently however, Pedro Bravo, President of the Spanish Agents association said Vinicius was not respecting his opponents with his celebrations, and compared the 22-year-old’s behaviour to that of a monkey while talking about him on a Spanish television programme, El Chiringuito.
An incident which immediately sparked social media outrage.
The Real Madrid player responded to the same with a video on his social media.
“They say that happiness bothers,” he said. “The happiness of a victorious black Brazilian in Europe bothers much more.
But my desire to win, my smile and the sparkle in my eyes are much bigger than that. You can’t even imagine it. I was a victim of a xenophobic and racist comment. But none of that started yesterday.”
He further added, “Weeks ago they began to criminalize my dances. Dances that are not mine. They belong to Ronaldinho, Neymar, (Lucas) Paqueta, (Antoine) Griezmann, Joao Felix, Matheus Cunha… they belong to Brazilian funk and samba artists, reggaeton singers, and black Americans. Those are dances to celebrate the cultural diversity of the world. Accept it, respect it. I’m not going to stop.”
Jersey number
Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Jr. published a video on his YouTube channel where he explained why he’s decided to wear number 20 for Los Blancos this season. The back on his jersey also shows “Vini Jr” now.
- 18 : Brazil national football team / Forward
- 20 : Real Madrid CF / Forward
“Number 20 has brought me good luck, in Flamengo I was very happy and I made my debut wearing number 20.
My first games in professional football were with this number and this season I had the opportunity to change and I feel more comfortable. About the name, now it’s easier because everyone calls me Vini aniway,” said the young attacker.
After a promising debut year in 2018-2019, Vinicius struggled a bit during the start of the 2019-2020 season. The attacker explained why.
“Last season I started differently, without confidence and a lot of time passed after the injury I suffered [against Ajax].
Now I’m happy because I can play more games, I can score and I play with more confidence. It’s always important to get minutes,” he added.
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