Vinicius Jr, a Brazilian forward, has replied after a Spanish agent used a racist remark while criticizing the player’s celebrations on live television.
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Vinicius Jr. said he “won’t stop dancing” after receiving racist abuse from the president of Spanish football agents, Pedro Bravo, in an emotional statement.
Bravo said of the Brazilian during a live broadcast on the controversial Spanish channel El Chiringuito: “You must respect your adversaries. If you want to dance Samba after scoring a goal, you should go to a sambodromo in Brazil. You must respect your teammates and stop acting like a monkey.”
✊🏿🖤! Obrigado pelo apoio! Eu não vou parar! #BailaViniJr pic.twitter.com/h3RsmwYAYw
— Vini Jr. (@vinijr) September 16, 2022
Real Madrid’s star has since responded on Twitter, releasing a powerful video statement that reads: “There will be war as long as the color of the skin is more important than the brightness of the eyes.
“That phrase is tattooed on my body. This is a constant thought in my mind. And I have attitudes that make this philosophy a reality in my life.
“They say happiness bothers people. The joy of a black Brazilian achieving success in Europe bothers them far more.
“But my determination to win, my smile, and the brightness in my eyes are far greater than that.” Don’t even think about how much.
“They are dances that celebrate the world’s cultural diversity.” Please accept it! It must be respected! Or you could freak out… In any case, I’m not going anywhere!
“In one sentence, I was a victim of racism and xenophobia. But none of this happened overnight.
“Some people began to criticize my dancing a few weeks ago. But the dancing is not entirely mine. They are the property of Ronaldinho, Neymar, Lucas Paqueta, Griezmann, Joao Felix, Matheus Cunha, and other Brazilian funk singers and samba dancers, Latin reggaeton singers, and black Americans.
“I come from a country where poverty is rampant, where people lack access to education, and where people frequently lack access to food!”
“I don’t usually come out in public to respond to criticism. I am chastised and remain silent. I am praised, but I do not speak. I work! A lot! Both on and off the field
“I developed an app to help educate children from public schools without any financial assistance! I am building a school in my name, and I will do much more for education. I want future generations to be as prepared as I am to fight racists and xenophobes.”
“I always strive to be a model professional and citizen. However, this does not result in clicks or social media engagement. So the cowards invent problems in order to attack me.
“The script always ends with an apology or the standard “I was misunderstood.” But, racists, I repeat: I will not stop dancing. I’ll be at the Sambadrome, the Bernabeu, or wherever I want!
“With love and smiles from a very happy person, Vini Jr.”
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