Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior: “Racism should cost Spain the 2030 FIFA World Cup”

Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior says the 2030 World Cup, due to be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, will have to “change location” if Spain fails to “evolve” in relation to racism. The Brazilian, who has been abused by fans on a number of occasions in recent years, believes the majority of Spaniards “are not racist” but that “a small group” is tarnishing the image of the country.

2030 World Cup host to “change” if Spain “doesn’t evolve”

“I hope that Spain can evolve and understand how serious it is to insult a person because of the colour of their skin. If things don’t evolve before 2030, I think we have to change the location of the World Cup. If a player doesn’t feel comfortable and confident in a country where he can suffer racist abuse, things are a bit complicated,” he said in an interview with CNN.

The 24-year-old also expressed his support for those “doing everything possible so that things can change.” He explained: “Many people in Spain, the majority, are not racist. But there is a small group that ends up affecting the image of a country in which life is really good. I love being here, I love playing for Real Madrid and I love having the best conditions to live in with my family”.

Vini and Real Madrid to leave the field if they hear racist insults

Vinícius also revealed he and his Real Madrid teammates will stop playing and leave the field in future games if they hear any racist abuse this season. “At the club, we talk more about it now, people are more open to talking about this. And not just me, but all the players have said that the next time it happens, everyone will leave the pitch so that all those who insult us have to face a much bigger punishment than they are currently getting,” he explained.

“After what happened last year in Valencia, everyone said that the right thing to do would have been to leave the field, but as you are there representing a team, sometimes you don’t do it.

“We know that not everyone in the stadium is racist and they went there to watch the game. It is always very difficult to finish a match like that, but with everything that has been happening, it’s getting worse. The team has to leave the field so that things can change as quickly as possible”.