Real Madrid players rallied behind their colleague Vinicius Jr. on Wednesday after the Brazilian striker was subjected to racist taunts over the weekend.
In a gesture of support, all Real Madrid players wore Vinicius Jr’s No. 20 shirt ahead of a Spanish La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Vinicius Jr. walked on the pitch in a casual dress to express gratitude to everyone who has supported him.
Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano players also carried a red banner that said “Racists, out of football,” as part of a campaign started on Tuesday by the Spanish football governing body RFEF.
To demonstrate their support, the crowd applauded Vinicius Jr in the 20th minute of the game.
A massive poster in the stands behind the goal said, “We are all Vinicius, enough is enough.”
Real Madrid won the match 2-1, with goals from Karim Benzema and Rodrygo Goes.
Vinicius Jr, a Real Madrid striker since 2018, was racially abused during a La Liga match at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium.
A group of supporters was plainly heard calling Vinicius a “monkey,” a racial epithet meant to mock Black people.
Clubs and players expressed their support for the Brazilian footballer.
Valencia also “strongly condemned” the racist attack on Vinicius, vowing action against the accused at Mestalla and launching an internal investigation.
Meanwhile, the RFEF has announced that Mestalla Stadium would be partially closed for the next five matches.
Valencia was fined €45,000 ($48,525) as well.
Three young individuals were detained in Valencia by Spanish police for allegedly perpetrating hate crimes against the Real Madrid player.