Soccer-Tearful Vinicius says racist abuse in Spain has taken joy out of playing

By Fernando Kallas MADRID, March 25 - Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr broke down in tears and said he was struggling to stay motivated and enjoy playing football due to the recurring racist abuse he is subjected to in Spain. During an emotional press conference ahead of Brazil's friendly international against Spain on Tuesday, the Real Madrid winger said he is frustrated as fans keep getting away with hurling racist abuse towards him.

By Fernando Kallas MADRID, March 25 - Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr broke down in tears and said he was struggling to stay motivated and enjoy playing football due to the recurring racist abuse he is subjected to in Spain.

During an emotional press conference ahead of Brazil's friendly international against Spain on Tuesday, the Real Madrid winger said he is frustrated as fans keep getting away with hurling racist abuse towards him. Last season there were 10 such episodes against the 23-year-old reported to prosecutors by LaLiga.

"I just want to play football but it's hard to move forward... I feel less and less like playing (due to the racist abuse)," Vinicius told a press conference on Monday, at times struggling to speak through tears. "It never crossed my mind (to leave Spain) because if I leave Spain I give the racists exactly what they want.

"I will stay because that way the racists can continue to see my face more and more. I'm a bold player, I play for Real Madrid and we win a lot of titles and that doesn't sit well with a lot of people." Brazil will face Spain at Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday as part of an anti-racism campaign under the slogan 'One skin'.

(Writing by Fernando Kallas, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

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