Vinicius Jr Faces 20 Alleged Racism Incidents at Real

Vinicius Junior has now faced 20 alleged incidents of racist abuse during his eight years at Real Madrid, after his side’s recent Champions League tie at Benfica was halted following fresh allegations.

The 25-year-old Brazilian forward reported alleged racist abuse during the play-off match at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon. The game was paused for 10 minutes as officials followed protocol.

The latest accusation involves Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni, who has denied the allegation. Vinicius has been backed publicly by team-mates, including Kylian Mbappe, who claimed he heard a racist term used repeatedly.

A Repeated Pattern

Since arriving in Spain in 2018, Vinicius has repeatedly reported racist abuse at stadiums across the country.

Among the most serious cases:

• Mallorca (2022): Monkey chants and banana-related insults.

• Atletico Madrid (2022): Racist chanting outside the stadium.

• Valencia – Mestalla (2023): Abuse from sections of the crowd led to Spain’s first prison sentences for racist insults in football.

• Bridge Mannequin Incident (2023): A doll wearing his shirt was hung from a bridge. Four individuals were later sentenced, with penalties commuted to fines and restraining orders.

In June 2024, three Valencia fans received eight-month prison sentences and stadium bans — a landmark ruling in Spanish football.

Mourinho’s Controversial Comments

Vinicius Jr reacts to a fan who shouted racist abuse at him during a match between Barcelona and Real Madrid in 2021

Benfica manager Jose Mourinho drew criticism after suggesting Vinicius should celebrate goals “in a respectful way”, implying provocation contributed to tensions.

Mourinho also argued Benfica could not be racist because club legend Eusebio was black — comments widely criticised as dismissive of systemic issues.

The debate around Vinicius often follows a familiar narrative:

“He is insulted, but he should behave better.”

Critics argue that framing the issue this way shifts responsibility from perpetrators to the victim.

From Player to Global Symbol

Vinicius has evolved into one of football’s most vocal anti-racism figures.

In 2024, after Spain’s first criminal convictions linked to abuse against him, he wrote:

“I’m not a victim of racism. I am an executioner of racists.”

His stance has forced Spanish authorities, La Liga and UEFA to toughen anti-racism protocols. Matches have been paused, investigations launched and sentences handed down — developments that were rare before his campaign.

The Wider Context

Football authorities across Europe continue to face pressure over how racism is handled in stadiums.

La Liga has pursued legal action in multiple cases involving Vinicius. However, critics argue that enforcement remains inconsistent and punishments too lenient.

Despite the hostility, Vinicius’ performances have rarely dipped. His response has often been decisive — including scoring twice at Mestalla on his return and celebrating with a raised fist.

What Comes Next?

The Lisbon incident adds another chapter to a long-running issue that extends beyond one player or one club.

For Vinicius, the fight is clearly bigger than football.

For the sport, the question remains: will structural change finally match the scale of the problem?