Ex-Real Madrid coach claims Vinicius Junior’s Ballon d’Or snub isn’t due to racism, calls out provoking persecution

Vinicius Junior, despite being one of the world’s top players, has faced criticism for his on-field behavior.

November 13, 2024

Although Vinicius Junior has proven himself to be one of the world’s elite players, he has often faced media criticism for his behavior on the field. Former Real Madrid manager Vanderlei Luxemburgo believes that Vinicius is partly to blame for this negative portrayal.

“I think he provokes a lot of the persecution he faces by doing things he shouldn’t,” Luxemburgo said on the Benja Me Mucho show. He went on to criticize how Vinicius responds to physical challenges from opponents, saying, “When Vini gets hit, he retaliates as if he shouldn’t be touched… Imagine Pele, the number of hits he took. Zico as well. Vini reacts to these blows as if they’re part of a targeted persecution because he is Black.”

Vinicius has faced ongoing battles against racial abuse from fans in Spain. Although he was a frontrunner for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, he ultimately lost to Rodri. According to reports, his representatives suspect that racial bias may have influenced the decision. When asked about this, Luxemburgo dismissed the notion, stating, “No, this has nothing to do with racism. Racism is treated very differently in football.”

Vinicius will aim to contribute to Brazil’s efforts in the World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay on November 14 and 19. Following that, he is expected to rejoin Real Madrid in a La Liga match against Leganes on November 24.