It is a controversy that Spain would have done well without.
Following their Champions League defeat to Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, Atlético de Madrid captain Koke kicked off the derby by criticizing Vinicius' celebrations.
He explained that the Brazilian "would be in trouble" if he celebrated a goal while dancing on Sunday at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Remarks supported by the president of the association of Spanish agents, Pedro Bravo, on the set of the Chiringuito: “Vinicius must respect the opposition.
If you want to dance the samba, you go to Brazil.
Here, you have to respect your colleagues and stop pretending.
»
On his Instagram account, Neymar decided to support his young national teammate: “Dribble, dance and be yourself!
Happy as you are.
Go ahead my boy, next goal we dance ”.
Same story from the side of the former captain of PSG, Thiago Silva: “Don't let anyone take your happiness, it's not disrespectful.
The former glory of Brazil, Pelé also reacted by supporting the young Madrid player.
“Even if racism still exists, it will not prevent us from continuing to smile.
We will continue to fight racism in our own way: by fighting for our right to be happy, ”assured the triple world champion.
O futebol é alegria.
E uma danced.
E uma verdadeira festa.
Apesar de que o racismo ainda existenta, não permitiremos que isso nos impeça de continuar sorrindo.
En nós continuaremos combatendo o racismo desta forma: lutando pelo nosso direito de sermos felizes.
#BailaViniJr pic.twitter.com/yCJxJEAn4a
— Pelé (@Pele) September 16, 2022
"I won't stop dancing"
On his social networks, the 22-year-old Brazilian came out of silence, denouncing the racism of which he was the victim.
“Weeks ago they started criminalizing my dancing.
Dances that are not mine.
They belong to Ronaldinho, Neymar, Paquetá, Griezmann, João Félix, Matheus Cunha... (...) They are dances to celebrate the cultural diversity of the world.
Accept it, respect it.
I'm not going to stop,” he explained before continuing: “I have been the victim of xenophobia and racism in one statement.
But none of this started yesterday.
I won't stop dancing.
Whether at the Sambadrome, the Bernabéu or elsewhere”.
In a statement released on Friday evening, Real Madrid defended their player and announced "legal proceedings against anyone using racist remarks towards their players".