The hostility towards Vinicius is real - and it has names, dates and court sentences. He has seen fans being sanctioned with suspended sentences for racist abuse in Valencia and Mallorca. Back in October 2021 during a Clasico at the Camp Nou, a fan shouted racist abuse at him as he was being substituted. In September 2022, Atletico Madrid fans chanted racist abuse outside the stadium. Eleven days after the Mestalla return, racist abuse towards him was chanted before a Champions League match between Atletico Madrid and Inter.

Source: BBC February 18, 2026 19:09 UTC