Brazil turned off the lighting of the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro for an hour to repudiate the racist insults against Vinicius Jr., a player of Real Madrid and the national soccer team.
The Archdiocesan Shrine Christ the Redeemer made it clear that it “repudiates the racist aggressions suffered by the Brazilian player Vinícius Júnior this Sunday, May 21, during a match between Real Madrid and Valencia”.
The lights of Rio’s most emblematic monument were turned off from 18:00 to 19:00 (GMT -3) “as a symbol of the collective fight against racism and in solidarity with the player and all those who suffer prejudice in the world.”
“Black and imposing. This is what Christ the Redeemer looked like. An action of solidarity that moves me. But above all, I want to inspire and bring more light to our fight,” reacted Vinicius Jr. on Twitter.
The soccer player thanked the signs of affection and support he has received recently from Brazil and the rest of the world and assured him that he does not intend to throw in the towel.
“I have a purpose in life, and if I have to suffer more and more so that future generations do not go through similar situations, I am ready and prepared,” he said.
On May 21, Vinicius Jr. was attacked by Valencia fans with shouts and insults of a racist nature, but despite them, the referee took no action, and in fact, it was the player himself who ended up expelled from the match.
The Spanish Football League launched an investigation into the incident.
News Brazil, English news Brazil, sport news Brazil,