How Vinicius became repeated target of racist abuse

VINICIUS Junior scored a brilliant goal but the focus after Real Madrid’s win at Benfica on Tuesday was on another incident of alleged racist abuse aimed at the Brazilian.

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The Champions League playoff first leg was halted for 10 minutes with the players leaving the pitch after Vinicius told referee Francois Letexier that Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni had called him a “monkey”.

The 20-year-old Argentine midfielder, who covered his mouth with his shirt as he appeared to say something to Vinicius, denies racially abusing the Real Madrid star.

Vinicius has become a lightning rod for racist abuse after arriving in the Spanish capital in 2018 from Flamengo.

The 25-year-old has been targeted in many high-profile incidents, mostly within Spain.

In January 2023, Atletico fans hung an effigy of Vinicius from a bridge near Real Madrid’s training ground.

Four months later Vinicius squared off with fans abusing him at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium, in an incident which gained him worldwide support in his battle against racism.

“Tm not a victim of racism. I am a tormentor of racists,’ wrote Vinicius on social media platform X in 2024, after three Valencia fans were found guilty of abusing him that day.