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Former Brazil and Sevilla star Pintinho has said he does not like the attitude of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. The former Selecao star has taken offense at the 23-year-old calling Spain a racist country.
Vinicius has often been the target of racist chanting and demonstrations by sections of fans at games. Earlier this year, the Los Blancos forward eventually spoke up about the situation and the police were able to secure jail time for some of the people who racially abused him.
Pintinho takes exception to his compatriot's statements to the press about the state of racism in Spain, telling Radio Marca:
“A few days ago I said that Vinicius is a bit of a clown. Here, people support me. The kids don’t, but people who know about football know that I’m telling the truth. I don’t like some of his attitudes.”
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The 70-year-old, who managed only three caps for Brazil, continued:
“I have nothing against Vinicius. I want him to grow more, but I didn’t like that he said that Spain is a racist country. I’ve been here for 45 years and Spain is not a racist country. If he is not happy in Spain, let him go. Let him go to England or somewhere else.”
Pintinho played 98 games for Sevilla, scoring 25 goals and providing one assist.
Vinicius Jr. is off with Brazil at Copa America. The Real Madrid star will hope to lift the continental tournament to boost his chances of claiming the Ballon d'Or in October. He enjoyed another dominant campaign in the Spanish capital in the 2023-24 season, bagging 24 goals and 11 assists in 39 games en route to winning La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.
Former Barcelona midfielder opines Vinicius Jr. is not in the world's top-10
Former Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal has said he doesn't see Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr. in the top 10 players of the world. The statement comes despite the Brazil international playing a key part in Los Blancos securing their 15th UEFA Champions League crown.
In an interview with Argentine streamer Davoo Xeneize, the Colo-Colo midfielder said:
“Vinícius Jr. is not a top 10 player in the world for me. He is still missing a lot [from his game].”
The Real Madrid star enjoyed a stellar 2023-24 campaign and is widely considered a front-runner for the Ballon d'Or award in October. Vinicius Jr. is currently focused on the ongoing Copa America tournament in the United States of America, where he will be keen to prove his doubters wrong and return with the trophy.
