- Vinicius Jnr has been the target of abuse repeatedly in recent years
- He has suggested that Spain should not co-host the 2030 World Cup due to racism
- LISTEN NOW: It’s all about to begin!available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Atletico Madrid winger Samuel Lino has played down concerns about racism in Spain, claiming he never experienced it himself when he played football in the country.
Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jnr has spoken out on the subject after being the target of abuse at least 16 times in recent years.
The European country was set to co-host the 2030 World Cup, but Vinicius believes the Games should be taken away from Spain unless the country takes a more forceful stance on racism.
But Lino, 24, appeared to suggest racism is not a major problem in Spain as he responded to Vinicius’ comments.
“Each player is managed in a different way by the club, the representatives, the family… Saying that is serious, but I have nothing to do with those controversies,” he told RNE’s Tablero Deportivo via Football Spain.
Atletico Madrid’s Samuel Lino (pictured) claimed he has never experienced racism in Spain
His comments come after Vinicius Jnr called for Spain to be banned from hosting the 2030 World Cup unless action is taken against racism.
LaLiga president Javier Tebas (pictured) called Vinicius Jnr’s statement ‘incoherent’
“He’s doing what he wants with his life and his career and I hope everything goes well. Personally, I’ve never had any problems (with racism in Spain).”
‘I’m not much of a talker with Vini, I don’t have a friendship with him. I admire his football and the player he is, I don’t have much more to talk about.’
Lino is not the only big name to respond to Vinicius’ statements. LaLiga president Javier Tebas also lashed out at the Brazilian last week, calling his argument for taking the World Cup away from Spain “incoherent.”
However, the Ballon d’Or candidate has been outspoken in his belief that measures must be taken to eliminate racism from Spanish society.
Last month, Vinicius vowed that he and his Real Madrid teammates would leave the pitch if any of the players were bullied by fans this season.
The 24-year-old man burst into tears at a press conference earlier this year when he discussed the topic of racism after repeatedly being the victim of gross insults.
He has since admitted that attitudes towards racism in Spain are “slowly changing” after three men were sentenced to eight months in prison in June for racist remarks and gestures towards him during a match against Valencia in May 2023. However, he believes there is still much work to be done.
Vinicius was the target of assault in May 2023, leading to prison sentences for three men
“I can already see and feel the difference in Spain,” Vinicius told The Mirror. “Today they may still be racists, but today they are afraid to express themselves on the football pitch and in places where there are a lot of cameras.
“And with that we will reduce racism, little by little. Of course we cannot end it, but I am already happy to change the mentality of Spain. In the last few months, three people have been jailed for insulting me in one of the matches.
“That’s something that will always be stamped in history. Because it was the first time and every time they do it again, it will be possible to make them pay for making black people suffer.”