After helping Real Madrid lift their 5th Club World Cup trophy and 100th club trophy, Vinicius Jr sent a message to passionate Moroccan fans who transcended nationality to support the Los Blancos.
The Brazil international bagged a brace as Real Madrid earned a deserved 5-3 win over Al-Hilal in the final.
Vinicius Jr’s message to the Moroccan fans was carefully and laddened with meanings. After thanking the fans, he extolled their heroic performance in the 2022 World Cup.
Morocco made history in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar becoming the first African country to reach the semifinals of the tournament after beating Portugal in the quarterfinals.
Vinicius Jr thanked Moroccan football lovers who thronged in their numbers into the Stadium in Rabat to support Real Madrid.
In his words, having the crowd of Moroccan fans support Los Blancos especially in the final was “something extra special.”
“Thank you, Morocco. I’ve already seen your passion at the World Cup, but having that crowd in my favor was something very special”, Vinicius wrote on Instagram on Sunday.
After candidly admitting his feelings on the immense support Los Blancos garnered from the Moroccan fans, Vinicius capped his somewhat poetic remarks with a eulogy of his club, Real Madrid.
In his words, “Real Madrid is a world class club. We are Africa, Asia, Europe…And the Champions of the World.”
Vinicius Jr’s remarks to the Moroccan fans is not unrelated to his recent travails in the spaceship of football. Cast and toned in expressly language of appreciation, the remarks are obviously toned with a sublime call for a true globalization of the game.
The 2022 FIFA Club World Cup was hosted in Morocco, with Al-Ahly as African contingents to the tournament. Al-Hilal were another Arab club that would have earned the support of the Moroccan fans, especially when they took on European giants Real Madrid in the final.
However, in the words of Vinicius Jr, the Moroccan fans crossed continental boundaries and leapt over national sentiments to register their support for Real Madrid – something “extra special.”
Hence, Vinicius Jr also sent a message of non-discrimination and inclusive football where all are taken as equals in the game irrespective of nationality, race, religion, and background.
Recently, Vinicius Jr has been on the receiving end of racial slurs and remarks in Spanish football.
He was called out by the President of Spanish football agents Pedro Bravo for disrespecting opponents by “playing the monkey,” dancing after he scores goals.
Also, before the Madrid derby this season, Atletico Madrid fans yelled racial chants saying on the Madrid star “Vinicius, you are a monkey.”
Real Madrid condemned the offensive gestures by the fans, reiterating their resolve to take action against any racist moves on their player.
LaLiga also condemned the gestures, but no concrete action was taken to indict the erring fans.
Vinicius Jr reacted angrily to the statement by Pedro Bravo, issuing a long statement on his resolve to fight every elements of racism. Since then, he has been a strong advocate of the move to eradicate all forms of discrimination in football.
The FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco afforded him another opportunity to make a call on the need to truly globalize the game with a perfect example by the Moroccan fans.
