Real Madrid and Brazil forward Vinicius Junior has ignited a heated debate in Spain by suggesting that the country should be stripped of its 2030 World Cup hosting rights.
The 24-year-old made this call amid myriad racial damnation but added that Spain should not be allowed to co-host the FIFA tournament unless they make significant progress in addressing racism.
Vinicius, who has faced repeated racist abuse from opposition fans, made the comments in a recent interview with CNN.
Vinicius said: “Until 2030, we have a lot of room to evolve. I hope that Spain can evolve, and understand how serious it is to insult someone because of the colour of their skin.”
The 2030 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
Meanwhile, Vinicius emphasized that he hopes Spain will evolve and take the issue of racism seriously, but if not, a change of venue should be considered.
In addition, he stressed that players should feel comfortable and safe playing in a country without fear of racist abuse.
The Brazilian added: “If by 2030 things don’t improve, I think we have to move the location, because if a player doesn’t feel comfortable and safe playing in a country where they can suffer racism, it’s a bit difficult.”
Vinicius Junior remark sparks fury in Spain
Vinicius’ comments have sparked a mixed reaction in Spain, with some defending the country’s reputation and others acknowledging the need for improvement.
Former Madrid and Spain goalkeeper Paco Buyo and high-profile columnist Tomas Roncero have called on Vinicius to clarify his remarks, while Madrid Mayor Jose Luis Martínez-Almeida condemned the statements and demanded an apology.
Former Real Madrid and Spain goalkeeper Paco Buyo expressed his discontent with Vini for labeling all Spaniards as racist, implying that he too may hold prejudiced beliefs.
Paco Buyo said on late-night TV show El Chiringuito: “It hurts me that Vinícius lumps us all together,” while the high-profile AS columnist Tomas Roncero called on the player to “clarify” his remarks.
Spain Mayor Jose Luis Martínez-Almeida condemns Vinicius’ statement
As for Madrid Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida, he condemned Vinicius’ statement when speaking to media on Wednesday, September 4.
The Mayor said: “I hope he rectifies those statements immediately.”
“We are all aware that there are still racist episodes in society and we have to work hard to eliminate them, but it is deeply unfair to Spain and Madrid to say that we are a racist society as Vinícius has said.”
However, Vinícius made it clear that his comments were aimed at a minority of supporters, not the entire country. He expressed his love for playing for Real Madrid and living in Spain, emphasizing that the majority of people are not racist.
Vinicius Junior added: “There are a lot of people in Spain, the majority, that aren’t racist,” he said. “It’s a small group that ends up affecting the image of a country that’s good to live in.
“I love playing for Real Madrid. I love Spain, having the best conditions to live here with my family.
“We hope things can evolve more. They’ve already evolved, but they can evolve a lot more. For 2030, racist incidents and racism can, and should, decrease.”
The Racial Abuse of Vinicius Junior
Since joining Real Madrid in 2018, the 24-year-old Brazilian star has had an impressive performance and achieved significant success.
Vinicius has won two Champions League titles and three LaLiga titles with Los Blancos. Unfortunately, amidst his accomplishments, he has also been subjected to racial abuse.
In May 2023, during a match against Valencia, Vini was targeted with racist chants and gestures from a section of the crowd. Three men were later arrested and jailed for their involvement, marking the first guilty verdict for racist abuse in Spanish football.
In September 2022, Vinicius Junior faced similar abuse from Atletico Madrid fans during a derby match, with racist chants and monkey gestures leading to widespread condemnation.
Atletico Madrid were fined €250,000 by the Spanish Football Federation for the incident.
Further abuse occurred in March 2023, when Vinícius Junior faced racial abuse from Mallorca fans, including monkey gestures and racist slurs.
The abuse has not been limited to these incidents, with Vinicius Junior reporting ongoing racial abuse from opposition fans, including chants, gestures, and social media hate speech.
The Spanish Football Federation and other governing bodies must take concrete steps to address the persistent problem of racial abuse in Spanish football, ensuring that players like Vinicius Junior can play football without fear of discrimination.
What’s your own view on Vinicius Junior’s call to stop Spain from co-hosting the 2028 FIFA World Cup?
