Vini Jr: “I can’t fight racism alone”

Real Madrid striker Vinicius Jr, currently training with Brazil, gave an interview to CBF TV in which he spoke about his fight against racism and the difficulties he has gone through in his life.

“In the last three months we have already managed to put three or four people in jail and make them pay for the crime they committed. We are on the right track. I play in Spain, where I suffered a lot and still suffer sometimes, but of course it is less with the help of all the clubs, of all the people who are doing everything they can to fight racism, like the CBF does,” said the winger, who gave this interview ahead of Black Awareness Day (November 20).

“This day is very important for everything we have been through and also for everything the CBF has done, along with FIFA, along with all the players, we are together in this fight. The intention is that in the very near future we can have fewer and fewer cases of racism,” he continued.

‘I can’t fight all this alone'

“I know how important I am, but I always say it’s everybody’s fight, because I can’t fight all that all black people have been going through alone. But I know my importance, I know the strength that I have, my visibility: I can speak for all those people who don’t have it, or who are afraid, or who go through a lot of things and people don’t always believe what they say. So I’m very happy to be able to help and to continue strongly in the fight together with all the players and all the people who have been able to help us,” Vinicius insisted.

“I always think that any help is very welcome. Black people have suffered for a long time and the time has come when all this has to end. So FIFA, which is a very strong body, together with the CBF, together with all the players, all have this strength to fight. So let’s go forward together, firm and strong, so that here and in the very near future, the children who come in our future will have a better life,” he added.

The Real Madrid striker acknowledged pressure is not a problem, because he has lived with it since he was a child: “I have lived with pressure since I was born, because I came from a very dangerous place, where I suffered a lot, and going through the ranks of Flamengo was also a big challenge. I came up through the ranks when I was 16 and I’ve had a lot of ups and downs.

“It’s no different with the national team. I have gone through many ups and downs, always wanting to develop myself to do great things for our country and the difficulties will come, as I said. I have gone through many ups and downs and I want to do my best and keep fighting with all my teammates, with all the coaching staff and with all our staff to put Brazil at the top”.

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