Carlo Ancelotti has sought to ease concerns regarding the potential departure of star forward Vinicius Junior from Real Madrid due to the racist abuse he has faced during his time in La Liga.
Vinicius has been a target of racist incidents from opposition fans in Spain in recent seasons, with notable occurrences during matches against Osasuna and Valencia in recent months. The Real Madrid player was unjustly cautioned by referee Juan Martinez Munuera for protesting against the racial abuse from Osasuna fans, sparking speculation about his future at the club.
Addressing the issue ahead of Madrid’s fixture against Athletic Club, for which Vinicius is suspended due to the aforementioned booking, manager Ancelotti reassured fans about the player’s commitment to the club.
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“For Vinicius, combating racism is undoubtedly a significant matter,” Ancelotti stated. “He takes it very seriously, and that’s something we all need to do – take it very seriously.
“I’m not concerned about Vinicius leaving. What concerns me greatly is that he won’t be able to play tomorrow. That’s my main concern.”
In a recent emotional moment before an international friendly between Brazil and Spain at the Santiago Bernabeu, aimed at raising awareness about racism in football, Vinicius broke down in tears while discussing his experiences. However, he made a firm declaration not to succumb to the demands of racists by leaving Real Madrid.
“I’ve never seriously considered leaving here, because if I do, I would be giving in to the racists,” he emphasized.
“I want to stay here, at the greatest club in the world, to keep showing my face. I will continue to grow and bring joy to all the fans at the stadium.
“Racists are a minority, and it doesn’t happen all the time. But being bold, being from Madrid, and being part of the greatest club in the world – it’s challenging. But I will persevere because I have the support of the president and the club.
“If I leave, it would be a victory for racism. I am confident that Spain is not a racist country, but there are many racists in Spain, and many of them are in the stands. That’s the challenge. I need to educate many Spanish people about what racism truly is and how much it affects me, how it saddens my family.
“I may not always play well, but there are better ways to express criticism. I want to visit every stadium in Spain knowing that I won’t be judged based on the color of my skin.”