A dummy dressed in a Vinicius Junior shirt was hung from a bridge near Real Madrid’s training ground ahead of the Copa del Rey quarter-final clash against Atletico Madrid on Thursday.
“Madrid hates Real,” read a banner draped on the bridge close to Valdebebas overnight Wednesday.
The Vinicius effigy was described as a “disgusting act of racism, xenophobia and hatred” against the Brazilian forward, by Real Madrid in a statement.
“Attacks like those our player is suffering now, or those that any athlete can suffer, cannot have a place in a society like ours,” added Madrid.
Police sources told AFP they were investigating the incident, without offering further details.
The slogan is one which has been used by Atletico Madrid ultras in the past. “Such acts are absolutely repugnant and inadmissable and shame society,” said Atletico in a statement.
“Our condemnation of any act that attacks the dignity of persons or institutions is categorical and unreserved.”
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Atletico fans were filmed aiming racist chants at Vinicius in September before the Madrid derby at the Wanda Metropolitano in La Liga.
However in December Spanish prosecutors closed an investigation into the chants, saying it was not possible to identify those culpable.
“We condemn the hateful actions against Vinicius,” wrote La Liga on Twitter. “Intolerance and violence do not fit within football.”
The Spanish football federation (RFEF) also offered their support to Vinicius, describing the incident a direct threat aimed at the forward “loaded with hate”.
Real Madrid’s 22-year-old winger is a divisive figure in Spanish football, with opponents sometimes angered by his flair and playing style, his propensity to go to ground easily and dancing goal celebrations.
On the other hand, Vinicius is often targeted and hacked by opposition defenders to try and put him off his game, with no player in Europe fouled more this season.
“We have to protect him,” urged Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti on Wednesday in a news conference.
“Football needs him, he’s got an extraordinary talent and we have to protect him physically and in a mental aspect too.”
But the Brazilian got the last laugh, scoring in extra time alongside Karim Benzema to seal a 3-1 win and book a place in the semi-finals.
The spiky, gripping derby clash turned against Diego Simeone’s side in the additional period when defender Stefan Savic was sent off.
Atletico took the lead through Alvaro Morata after 19 minutes but Rodrygo’s sensational slalom run past three defenders and slick finish pulled Madrid level with 11 minutes remaining.
After Savic’s 99th minute red card, Benzema tucked home from Marco Asensio’s pass and Vinicius netted at the death to send Los Blancos through to the final four for the first time since 2019.
“Today we had a very difficult game but with the character and the players that we have, we were able to turn it around,” Benzema told Teledeporte.
“Suffering is not good — we have to score the goals earlier.”
Atletico defender Savic foolishly handed Madrid the edge when he was sent off for two yellow cards in two minutes.
The first came during an argument with Vinicius and the second for fouling Camavinga.
“The referee was phenomenal, Savic’s red card was clear, he arrived late and he brought down Camavinga,” Ceballos told Teledeporte.
Atletico players claimed that Ceballos himself should have been sent off earlier when he fouled Geoffrey Kondogbia while on a yellow card.
“I think it was a red (for Savic), but they should have had one too when we were 1-0 up,” complained Atletico goalkeeper Oblak.
With an extra man Madrid immediately began to capitalise when Vinicius crossed for Antonio Rudiger, who headed narrowly wide.
Benzema struck lethally after 104 minutes when Vinicius miskicked Marco Asensio’s cross and the ball travelled through to the striker.
Madrid, who last won the Copa del Rey in 2014, kept Atletico at bay in the final 15 minutes before Vinicius dribbled through and fired home to clinch the victory — celebrating with a now customary dance routine.
Earlier Athletic Bilbao won 3-1 at Valencia to join record 31-time winners Barcelona and Osasuna in Monday’s semi-final draw.
