Vinicius Junior defied a warning from Atletico Madrid captain Koke to expect “trouble” by dancing when celebrating goals as Real Madrid defeated their city rivals on Sunday evening.
The Brazil international was the subject of disgusting racist chants from sections of Atleti fans ahead of the game as videos emerged on social media of the abhorrent language used. That came after Vinicius was targeted with a racist slur on live Spanish TV by agent Pedro Bravo.
Bravo said during an El Chiringuito discussion of the Brazil international that "in Spain, you have to respect rivals and stop playing the monkey". Following a backlash alleging that this was a racist stereotype, Bravo has subsequently apologised on social media by claiming that he misused a metaphor. It has opened a discussion across Spain and further afield of the language and attitude applied towards footballers with racial undertones.
