Football: Pele, Neymar back Vinicious Jr dance amid racist remarks

Real's Vinicius Jr hits back at 'racist' celebration critic [Twitter]

Brazilian legend Pele and PSG star striker Neymar have come out openly to support rising Vinicious Junior amid racist comments Real Madrid winger received from the Spanish media for dancing after scoring in a past La Liga match.

President of Spanish football agents, Pedro Bravo while discussing the Brazilian during a live broadcast on controversial Spanish channel El Chiringuito said Vinivious must stop playing the monkey after scoring.

"You have to respect your opponents. When you score a goal, if you want to dance Samba, you should go to sambodromo in Brazil. You have to respect your mates and stop playing the monkey,"said Bravo.

In support, Neymar posted on social media, seemingly in reaction to the negativity surrounding Vinicius Jr's choice of celebration, as he simply wrote in Portuguese:"DANCE VINI JR".

Neymar also posted on Instagram: "Dribble, dance and be you! Happy just the way you are. Go for it my boy, next goal we dance!"

Pele then weighed in on the incident, claiming that football should be a joyous event whilst also stressing the importance of the ongoing battle against racism.

On Saturday, Vinicius Jr said he "won't stop dancing" as he released an emotional statement in response to the racist abuse he received from the Spanish media.

The Brazilian has been in fine form this season, scoring five and assisting three in his eight appearances so far this term.

Vinicius has been a target of racist abuse in Spain previously, with the 22-year-old having claimed he was abused during a Clasico against Barcelona in 2021. He was also subjected to alleged racist chants when facing Mallorca in 2022, to which he responded by dancing in front of the opposition fans after scoring.

The Real Madrid ace has since responded on Twitter, releasing a powerful statement via video that reads: "As long as the colour of the skin is more important than the brightness of the eyes, there will be war.

"I have that phrase tattooed on my body. I have this thought permanently in my head. And I have attitudes in my life that turn this philosophy into reality.

"They say that happiness bothers. The happiness of a black Brazilian being successful in Europe bothers much more.

"But my will to win, my smile and the sparkle in my eyes are much bigger than that. Don't even try to imagine how much.

"They are dances to celebrate the cultural diversity of the world. Accept it! Respect it! Or freak out... In any case, I will not stop!

"I was a victim of xenophobia and racism in one sentence. But none of this started yesterday.

"Weeks ago, some people started to criticize my dancing. But the dancing is not mine alone. They belong to Ronaldinho, Neymar, Lucas Paqueta, Griezmann, Joao Felix, Matheus Cunha... Brazilian funk singers and samba dancers, Latin reggaeton singers, black Americans.

"I come from a country where poverty is very high. Where people don't have access to education. People often don't have access to food!

"I don't usually come publicly to rebut criticism. I am criticised and do not speak. I am praised and I do not speak either. I work! A lot! On and off the field.

"I developed an app to help educate children from public schools. Without financial help from anyone! I am building a school with my name. And I will do much more for education. I want the next generations to be prepared, as I am, to fight racists and xenophobes.

"I always try to be an exemplary professional and citizen. But that does not generate clicks, it does not engage in social media. So the cowards make up problems to attack me.

"The script always ends with an apology or the typical 'I was misinterpreted'. But I repeat to you, racists: I will not stop dancing. At the Sambadrome, at the Bernabeu, wherever I want!

"With love and smiles from someone very happy, Vini Jr."