Controversial remarks lead to threats against artist who mocked Vinicius

A Valencian artist, Víctor Navarro, has reported receiving death threats and insults after unveiling a satirical fallero figure depicting Real Madrid's Brazilian star, Vinícius Jr. The figure, which portrays Vinícius watering a garden filled with tears after winning a satirical "Golden Poo" award instead of the Ballon d'Or, has sparked a fierce backlash on social media.

Navarro, visibly shaken by the threats, took to social media to express his shock at the vitriol directed towards him. "The last 24 hours have been the most surreal of my professional life," he wrote. "After wishing me death and receiving all kinds of insults from people who don't even know me, due to the creation of a fallero figure of footballer Vinicius, I'm closing this chapter now."

The fallero artist lamented the violence of the attacks and rejected attempts to explain the nuances of Fallas, a traditional Valencian festival, to those who misunderstood his work. "I'm not going to waste another second explaining to people who don't care what Fallas are or the work of fallero artists," he said. "Nor am I going to explain what humor is, something as subjective as there are people in the world."

Navarro also criticized certain Madrid-based media outlets for publishing "sensationalist and centralist headlines that incite hatred." He urged these media outlets to "take a look at themselves" for their lack of understanding of one of Spain's most important cultural events.

Despite the ordeal, Navarro called on Valencians to "defend our culture and roots." He concluded his message with a rallying cry: "Long live Valencia, long live Fallas, and long live our land."

The controversy surrounding the Vinícius Jr. fallero highlights the deep divisions that exist within Spanish football and society. While some have praised Navarro's creativity and the satirical nature of his work, others have condemned it as racist and offensive.

The incident has also sparked a wider debate about the limits of freedom of expression and the role of social media in fueling hate speech.