Wednesday’s La Liga match saw Real Madrid defeat Rayo Vallecano 2-1 thanks to goals from Karim Benzema and Rodrygo as supporters and players stood up for Vinicius Jr., who was the target of racial abuse over the weekend.
Vinicius, a Brazilian attacker for Real Madrid, was honored prior to the game after receiving racial epithets during the team’s 1-0 loss to Valencia on Sunday. All of us are Vinicius. Among a lot of words of support for him, a sign that was put up behind a couple of the goals at the Santiago Bernabeu said, “Enough is enough.”
While the leaders of both teams donned armbands with anti-racism themes, Real’s players entered the field sporting shirts with Vinicius’s number 20, 20.
Real Madrid Has Vinicius’ Back
Real Madrid’s Vinicius, who was wearing street clothes and appeared irritated, joined his teammates on the field for a standing ovation after everyone posed with a LaLiga banner that read “Racists, out of football.”
Even though the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on Tuesday reversed the red card he earned against Valencia and annulled the ensuing ban, he was not included in the Real squad for the game.
According to Spanish media, a knee problem kept Vinicius from practicing in advance of the game. Coach Carlo Ancelotti stated during a news conference that he was astonished by the competition committee’s choice.
He continued by saying that Valencia’s partial stand closure as a kind of punishment was a significant development. Vinicius’ surrounding teammates “feel very affected.”
Many Real supporters showed up at the stadium with the Brazilian’s jersey and scarves, delivering a loud and obvious statement that they disapprove of the abuse he is receiving in Spanish stadiums.
Six minutes from time, Rayo’s Raul de Tomas equalized, but Rodrygo restored Real’s advantage in the 89th minute by beating goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski with a low effort from outside the area that went inside the right post.
The 22-year-old Rodrygo celebrated his accomplishment by raising his fist, a gesture frequently used by social movements, such as anti-racism.