Vinicius Júnior didn’t score, but he danced anyway. The same happened with Real Madrid, winning 2-1 in the Spanish capital’s derby against Atlético this Sunday (18). A match that was marked by threats to the Brazilian striker and racist abuse before the game.
The controversy was so great that it put in second place the fact that Real had resumed the leadership of the Spanish Championship, with 18 points, two ahead of arch-rivals Barcelona.
The main image of the match happened in the 18th minute, when Rodrygo received a throw from Tchouaméni and completed it for the goal. But the finishing wasn’t the main thing. He waited for Vinicius Junior to arrive and the two did a dance near the corner flag. They were soon embraced by the other players while they were being targeted by objects thrown by the crowd at Wanda Metropolitano, Atlético de Madrid’s stadium.
The stadium’s sound system urged the audience to calm down, without causing any effect. At 36, Valverde scored the second.
The Brazilian striker’s usual celebration became controversial overnight thanks to a comment from Pedro Bravo, agent and president of the Spanish Association of Players’ Managers. He said the Brazilian’s dances were disrespectful and made a racist comment.
“Here what you have to do is respect your fellow professionals and stop being a monkey,” he said.
Atletico Madrid player, Koke said that if Vinicius scored in the classic, any dancing could cause confusion.
One of the memories made in response was that the French Antoine Griezmann, white, Atletico striker, has long celebrated his goals with dancing and that was never posed as a problem.
The case monopolized discussions before the game and the Brazilian received solidarity from Pele, Neymar, Xavi (Barcelona coach) and several players. The hashtag #BailaVinir was created on Twitter. Midfielder Bruno Guimarães, from Newcastle and the Brazilian national team, asked for Bravo’s arrest, who later explained that he had made a “metaphor” by using the term “monkey”.
Vinicius Júnior recorded a video, posted on his social networks. He promised not to stop.
“They say that happiness bothers. The happiness of a black Brazilian, victorious in Europe bothers much more”, he said.
Before the match, videos were posted on Twitter of Atletico Madrid fans chanting over and over that “Vinicius is a monkey”.
According to Spanish daily Marca, the home team’s organized shouted “Vinicius die.”
“I want Vinícius Júnior to teach me how to samba. I have to go to Brazil in the next carnivals in Rio de Janeiro. I need to learn how to samba and I want him to teach me. I don’t see any problem with the dances. The players manifest as they want” , said Atlético president Enrique Cerezo, trying to reduce the controversy.
In the second half, with the victory almost assured, the Brazilian tried to give a scooter, dribble me that the player lifts the ball with his heels to give his opponent a hat, the Belgian Witsel, but he couldn’t. He was booed a lot by the audience. Shortly after, Hermoso discounted for Atlético.
During the match, Vinicius Júnior had arguments with opponents, especially with Argentine Rodrigo De Paul.
In the final minutes, the hosts pressured for the tie, without result. Hermoso was sent off in stoppage time.
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