Today, Sunday, Atletico Madrid welcomes its neighbor Real Madrid in the top of the sixth stage of the Spanish Football League, a confrontation that was hijacked by the Brazilian star Vinicius Junior.
The name of this young player topped the scene, the past few days, after a wide campaign to support the Real star because of the racist phrases he was exposed to, commenting on the way he celebrated the goals.
The president of the Spanish Players' Agents Association, Pedro Bravo, had uttered these words during his hosting of the famous Spanish program "El Chiringuito", saying, "Vinicius must respect the opponent, if you want to dance, go to the dance halls in Brazil. In Spain, you have to respect the competitors and stop playing a role." monkey".
Real Madrid star Vinicius faces racism because of his dances.. The full story is in this video 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/rmoyNgSmEX
- Al Jazeera Sports (@AJASports) September 17, 2022
These statements came in response to an interview with Atletico Madrid captain Koke, in which he said that Vinicius' dance in front of the Atletico fans in the expected derby today may cause a problem.
This sparked a global storm of solidarity with the Brazilian star, which began with the participation of his teammates, led by Neymar, Thiago Silva and Lucas Paqueta, before millions joined them after that through the hashtag "BailaViniJr#", which means "Dance, Vinnie".
BAILA VINI JR @vinijr
— Neymar Jr (@neymarjr) September 16, 2022
A sua dança não desrespeita ninguém, o racismo sim: desrespeita, exclui, fere e mata.
#BailaViniJr @vinijr pic.twitter.com/NXTc8ovT7g
— Ronaldo Nazário (@Ronaldo) September 16, 2022
The support did not stop at the current players, as it extended to the retired Brazilian stars, led by Pele, Ronaldo Al Dhahera and Romario.
Legend Pele wrote: "Football is fun, it's a dance, it's a real party, although racism continues, we will not allow that to stop us from continuing to smile, and we will continue to fight racism in this way: the struggle for our right to be happy."
"Keep on celebrating the way happiness touches your heart," Romario, the former Barcelona and national team star, wrote on Twitter. "All my support for Vinicius, and all my rejection of anyone who tries to camouflage racism, we will not accept that."
Vinicius, 22, came out in a video through his accounts on social media, which received more than 4 million views, in which he confirmed that he does not care about these statements, and will continue to dance because he expresses his environment from which he came out.
✊🏿🖤!
Obrigado pelo apoio!
Eu não vou parar!
#BailaViniJr pic.twitter.com/h3RsmwYAYw
— Vinny Jr.
(@vinijr) September 16, 2022
"Normally I don't take criticism in public because I am attacked and I don't talk, I get praise and I don't talk either. I just work hard, I was a victim of xenophobia and racism in one statement, but this hate started weeks ago when they attacked me because I'm dancing," he said.
"The dances reflect the cultural diversity of the world, accept it and respect it because I will not stop dancing, and I will do a lot to support education in my country, I want future generations to be as ready as I am to fight racism," Vinicius added.
Real expressed solidarity with his Brazilian star, and confirmed his rejection of all forms of racist statements and behaviors, and to continue to take legal measures against those who used racist phrases against Vinicius.
Baila, @ViniJr.
Como você semper foi: de gol em gol, de drible em drible, de baile em baile.
#BailaViniJr pic.twitter.com/y41ZlodTah
— Flamengo (@Flamengo) September 16, 2022
For his part, Real coach Carlo Ancelotti said that he did not know the reason for the great media interest and the uproar that arose about Vinicius, and during his talk before the summit meeting with neighbor Atletico, Ancelotti asked several questions regarding his Brazilian player.
"I don't know what's going on with Vinicius," the Italian coach told reporters on Saturday. "For me it's nothing but that he plays high-quality football with happiness and joy. There is no reason for me to give him any advice. I'm not his father or brother. I'm his coach."
Real is seeking to win against Atlético and maintain its perfect record and mark during the current season, after winning all five rounds it has played so far in the local league.
On the other hand, Atletico occupies seventh place with 10 points, and lost 2-0 to Bayer Leverkusen in the second round of the Champions League last Tuesday, but coach Diego Simeone says that the level is not an essential factor in the summit meetings.
"Everything can go well until the referee blows the start whistle, and then a whole new movie starts, and we don't know how it will end. That's why there is so much fun in this sport," the Argentine coach said.