New racist incidents against Vinícius Jr.: Albacete fans target the Brazilian
The incidents took place ahead of Real Madrid’s Round of 16 Copa del Rey match.
Vinícius Jr. is once again at the center of the news for reasons that have nothing to do with his immense talent on the pitch. In a shameful prelude to Real Madrid’s Round of 16 clash in the Copa del Rey against Albacete, a group of local supporters targeted the Brazilian star with a series of racist chants. The incident occurred as the team bus arrived at the Carlos Belmonte stadium, casting a dark shadow over what was supposed to be a night of festive cup football.
The Incident: Viral Hate in Albacete
Supporters of the team currently competing in Spain’s second division were captured on video insulting the 25-year-old winger. The chants, which included the slur "Vinícius, you are a mon*,"** spread like wildfire across social media platforms, sparking immediate condemnation from fans and advocacy groups worldwide.
Despite the progress made by Spanish authorities in recent years, this event serves as a grim reminder that the battle against discrimination in football is far from over. The footage, which has been widely circulated, is expected to be used as evidence by La Liga and the RFEF (Royal Spanish Football Federation) to identify and sanction those responsible.
Unwavering Support: Courtois Leads the Defense
While several teammates were focused on the warm-up, others used their platforms to voice their disgust. Thibaut Courtois, the Real Madrid goalkeeper who was not called up for this specific fixture to allow for rest, was one of the first to respond to the viral videos.
"Enough with the racism, this is embarrassing," Courtois posted, making his stance crystal clear.
The Belgian's gesture is part of a growing movement within the Real Madrid locker room to provide a "shield" for Vinícius. The squad has become increasingly vocal, demanding that referees and league officials take more drastic measures, such as halting matches, when these systemic abuses occur.
A History of Hostility: The Valencia Precedent
Unfortunately, this is far from the first time Vinícius Jr. has faced such toxicity. His career in Spain has been marked by a relentless campaign of abuse from rival stands. The most notable escalation occurred during matches against Valencia CF, where the atmosphere turned so hostile that it led to international diplomatic friction between Brazil and Spain.
In a landmark decision for Spanish sports law, several fans of the "Che" team were recently sentenced to prison time for their racist actions against the winger. This precedent was supposed to serve as a deterrent, but the events in Albacete suggest that more work is needed to educate and enforce zero-tolerance policies in stadiums across the country.
Focus on the Pitch: The Arbeloa Era Begins
Despite the psychological toll of these insults, Vinícius Jr. has remained professional. He was named in the starting lineup for this match, which marks Álvaro Arbeloa’s official debut as Real Madrid’s head coach. Arbeloa has reportedly spoken privately with the player to ensure his focus remains on the game, emphasizing that the best response to hate is a dominant performance.
Vinícius enters this match with the goal of securing Real Madrid’s qualification to the quarter-finals and finding the back of the net once again. Although he scored in the recent Spanish Super Cup final against FC Barcelona, that goal was a relief, as it broke a frustrating 19-match drought. Now, the Brazilian seeks to silence his detractors the only way he knows how: with his pace, his dribbling, and his joy for the game.
