Vinicius Jr: Tearful Brazil star says he is 'losing desire to play' due to racist abuse ahead of Spain game

Vinicius Jr broke down in tears as he spoke about how the racism he has faced in football is making him lose his "desire to play" the game.

The 23-year-old will line up for Brazil at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday for an international friendly against Spain that will be played under the slogan ‘One Skin’ as part of an anti-racism campaign.

Brazil and Real Madrid forward Vinicius has been subjected to racist abuse at several stadiums around Spain over the last few years.

At an emotional press conference, Vinicius was in tears as he answered questions about racism and how it has impacted him.

“It’s something very sad what I have been going through here,” said Vinicius, who joined Real Madrid in 2018.

“It’s tough. I’ve been fighting against this for a long time. It’s exhausting because you feel like you are alone. I’ve made so many official complaints but no one is ever punished.

“More and more I’m losing my desire to play. But I’ll keep fighting."

Vinicius added: “I have never thought about leaving Spain, because that would be giving the racists what they want.

"I will stay at the best club in the world, scoring as many goals as I can so they keep watching me."

Earlier in the day, Vinicius’ Real Madrid team-mate Dani Carvajal had declared he does not believe Spain is a “racist country”.

"We have a very high level of integration, I come from a humble neighbourhood, Leganes, and grew up with boys of all types of nationalities,” said the Spain defender.

"I have a lot of friends with different colour skin. Sadly there are people who go to football it seems to let loose all their rage, their anger.

"When it seems that it hurts someone, they do it more and it's a pity.

"Those type of people should not be allowed into stadiums because it's the ugliest thing that exists in sport."

Vinicius responded that he did not think Spain was a racist country, but added: “There are many racists here and many of them are in the stadiums.

"From the first time I complained about racism in Spain it's been blowing up... they are insulting me over the colour of my skin so I play worse on the pitch.

"They can say many other things to me and I wouldn't say anything, I hope I can go to stadiums and not think about what could happen."

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti said last year that Vinicius has become "unfortunately used to" racism in Spain.

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