Brazil legend Ronaldo is delighted “the most effective participant on the earth is black and Brazilian” as he paid tribute to Vinicius Junior on Tuesday.
Vinicius was named The Finest FIFA Males’s Participant for 2024, two months after he was snubbed for the Ballon d’Or.
The Brazil winger led Actual Madrid to LaLiga and Champions League glory, scoring within the European ultimate win over Borussia Dortmund.
He received his particular person reward on the FIFA ceremony, although, and ex-Madrid and Selecao celebrity Ronaldo was delighted to see his compatriot honoured.
Vinicius has been the topic of racist abuse, together with in a match towards Valencia in 2023 that led to 3 soccer followers being sentenced to eight months in jail.
Due to this fact Ronaldo sees the 24-year-old’s triumph as a victory, too, for the “nameless Viniciuses” who’ve additionally suffered.
#TheBest FIFA Males’s Participant 2024
@ViniJr pic.twitter.com/DnAnmiBlg7— Actual Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) December 17, 2024
“Talking of regaining respect for Brazilian soccer, have a look at him there,” Ronaldo posted alongside an image of Vinicius on his Instagram web page. “@vinijr, most respect!
“Sixteen years have handed for the reason that final time the trophy for finest participant on the earth got here to Brazil. Now deservedly in Vini’s palms, it means way more than his decisive function within the video games and the extraordinary numbers within the 2023-24 season. For the award, his expertise can be sufficient, however his energy goes far past the sphere.
“We’re speaking about one of the crucial priceless gamers in the present day, a sufferer of televised racism with inconceivable frequency.
“What number of nameless Viniciuses does he symbolize? What number of victims unfold all over?
“An emblem of resistance and resilience, in the present day Vini additionally leads the anti-racist combat in world soccer, the place impunity is as pernicious because the assaults.
“And those that stay silent are not any much less racist. The omission – particularly by entities and authorities which have the authorized energy to confront and punish such practices – additional reinforces the tradition of erasure and disrespect in direction of black individuals.
“They tried to erase you, my good friend. And also you left a mark. THE BEST PLAYER IN THE WORLD IS BLACK AND BRAZILIAN.”