Vinicius Jr. Faces Racial Abuse Again Amid Stunning Goal

Football should have been celebrating a moment of brilliance last night, as Vinicius Jr. scored an astonishing goal that deserved the spotlight. Instead, the sport found itself mired once again in the troubling waters of racism, with allegations, denials, and a lack of understanding from those in charge.

Key Highlights

• Vinicius has faced 20 incidents of alleged racial abuse during his career.
• Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni has been accused of racially abusing Vinicius minutes after his wonder goal.
• Kylian Mbappe has publicly supported Vinicius, stating he heard a racist term used multiple times.
• Benfica’s manager, Jose Mourinho, controversially blamed Vinicius for provoking the abuse.

Vinicius has encountered this ugly reality many times before. The latest incident involves allegations that Benfica’s Argentine midfielder Gianluca Prestianni directed racial slurs at him shortly after Vinicius’ breathtaking goal. Prestianni has denied these allegations, but Vinicius has received strong backing from teammates, notably Kylian Mbappe, who claimed he heard a racist term being used on five occasions.

After the match, Benfica’s manager, Jose Mourinho, effectively shifted the blame onto Vinicius, suggesting that he provoked the situation. “These talents can do beautiful things, but unfortunately, he was not just happy to score that astonishing goal,” Mourinho remarked. He added that Benfica could not possibly be a racist club, citing their legendary player Eusebio’s race as evidence.

Such comments highlight a disturbing trend in media discussions, particularly in Spain and now Portugal, where the focus often shifts to the behavior of the victim rather than addressing the root cause of the abuse. The consistent refrain seems to be: “Yes, they insult him, but he should behave better.” This attitude fails to recognize that these issues are intertwined and cannot be separated.

When Vinicius responds to the abuse by confronting the stands, his actions are often labeled as arrogant or inappropriate. However, this reaction stems from his ongoing battle against a hostile environment. The renowned psychiatrist Frantz Fanon noted in his 1952 book, Black Skin, White Masks, that the Black man must fight twice as hard to be accepted. For Vinicius, this struggle manifests as frustration and gestures that may appear excessive to outsiders but are rooted in survival.

In Spain, the media often demands that Vinicius simply “play and keep quiet,” a notion that reflects what sociologist Eduardo Bonilla-Silva describes as “racism without racists.” This cultural framework blames the victim for their reaction instead of holding the abusers accountable. Vinicius has grown to embody a global symbol of resistance against discrimination as he pushes for stronger protocols and actions from football authorities.

The hostility directed at Vinicius is not just a matter of opinion; it carries names, dates, and serious consequences. This latest incident at Estadio da Luz marks the 20th time he has been subjected to racial abuse while playing for Real Madrid. He has been targeted in stadiums across Spain and has even testified in court after a mannequin dressed in his jersey was hung from a bridge. In the past, fans have faced minimal repercussions for their actions, largely due to a judicial culture that has historically treated football’s “banter” with leniency.

A timeline of Vinicius’ experiences reveals a disheartening pattern. In October 2021, during a Clasico at Camp Nou, he faced racial slurs from a fan being substituted, but the case was closed when the police could not identify the offender. In March 2022, Mallorca fans made monkey noises towards him, leading to outrage from authorities but no criminal charges. Further incidents, including a derogatory comment made by a Spanish football agent, showcased a troubling lack of accountability.

One of the most shocking moments occurred in January 2023 when a doll wearing Vinicius’ jersey was found hanging from a bridge. While four members of the offending supporters’ group were sentenced to prison, their sentences were later commuted to fines. The situation escalated in May 2023 during a match against Valencia when Vinicius confronted the stands after being insulted, leading to a red card for him later in the game. However, this incident sparked some legal action, marking a significant moment in Spain’s handling of racism in football.

Vinicius continues to face hostility, whether at matches or via social media. Just recently, he was the target of racial chants before a Champions League match, prompting Real Madrid to report the incident to the hate crimes prosecutor’s office. Even during a Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Sociedad, a fan was caught making monkey gestures towards him, demonstrating the pervasive nature of this issue.

Despite the constant barrage of abuse, Vinicius remains resolute. In June 2024, after the sentencing of racists who had targeted him, he expressed his determination: “Many people asked me to ignore it, others said that my fight was in vain and that I should just ‘play football.’ But, as I’ve always said, I’m not a victim of racism. I am an executioner of racists. This first criminal conviction in Spanish history is not for me. It’s for all black people.” His commitment to this cause has turned him into a beacon of hope and resistance against racial discrimination in football.

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