Vinícius Jr. Speaks Out After Racist Abuse; Mourinho Questions Celebration

By Akpo ESCO

Real Madrid forward Vinícius Jr. in a post-match statement condemned racism and highlighted what he sees as inadequate protection from authorities. 

“Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to show how weak they are,” he said, adding that enablers “have a clear obligation to punish them in these cases.”

Vinícius noted that the abuse was not new to him or his teammates. 

He also questioned a booking he received for celebrating his goal: “I still don’t understand why I got that card. I see it was just a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose. I don’t like to appear in situations like this after a big win—when headlines should be about Real Madrid—but it’s necessary.”

Meanwhile, former Madrid coach José Mourinho has weighed in on the controversy, saying, “When it happens in so many stadiums, always with the same, there is something wrong.” 

Mourinho recounted his exchange with Vinícius saying “I told Vini, you scored a wonder goal, why did you celebrate like that? Why can’t you celebrate with just the happiness of being a great player?”