Football is a spectator sport; something that fans go to in order to enjoy some time away from their mundane lives. It is also highly stressed that footballers themselves should enjoy the game as much as they can. Every legendary football player has reiterated that time and again that players should enjoy their game as much as possible.
It is why criticism of Real Madrid player Vinicius Junior’s goal celebration is facing innumerable backlashes on social media. For the unaware, the whole Vinicius dance saga began when Pedro Bravo, a Spanish football panellist at El Chiringuito criticised Vinicius and said, “You have to respect your opponents. When you score a goal, if you want to dance Samba, you should go to sambodromo in Brazil. You have to respect your mates and stop playing the monkey.”
His comments soon reverberated throughout Spanish football with many calling Vinicius disrespectful for dancing. Atletico player Koke also concurred with Bravo’s comments and said, “There would be trouble, for sure (that is) to be expected. If in the end he scores and decided to dance, well, it’s what he wants to do.”
Soon though, a large section of the football fraternity came in the young Brazilian’s support. Players like Neymar, Pele, other footballers as well as the club Real Madrid have lent their support to the 22-year-old and have asked him to continue dancing and enjoying his football.
Now, Vinicius has come out and defended his celebration. In a video post, he said, "They say that happiness bothers, the happiness of a victorious black Brazilian in Europe bothers much more.
"But my desire to win, my smile and the sparkle in my eyes are much bigger than that. You can't even imagine it. I was a victim of a xenophobic and racist comment. But none of that started yesterday."
"Weeks ago they began to criminalize my dances. Dances that are not mine. They belong to Ronaldo, Neymar, Paqueta, Griezzmann, Jao Felix, Matheus Cunha… they belong to Brazilian funk and samba artists, reggaeton singers, and black Americans. Those are dances to celebrate the cultural diversity of the world. Accept it, respect it. I'm not going to stop."
It would be interesting to see how Wanda Metropolitano reacts if Vinicius scores against Atletico and dances in their meeting on 19th September.
Twitter was buzzing with the controversy with all of the cricketing fraternity joining in to support Vinicius Jr. Let’s look at some of them.
Sempre! 🕺🏾😂 https://t.co/VjjN9MtwwV pic.twitter.com/B4K08fLs10
— Vini Jr. (@vinijr) September 16, 2022
O futebol é alegria. É uma dança. É uma verdadeira festa. Apesar de que o racismo ainda exista, não permitiremos que isso nos impeça de continuar sorrindo. E nós continuaremos combatendo o racismo desta forma: lutando pelo nosso direito de sermos felizes. #BailaViniJr pic.twitter.com/yCJxJEAn4a
— Pelé (@Pele) September 16, 2022
✊🏿🖤! Obrigado pelo apoio! Eu não vou parar! #BailaViniJr pic.twitter.com/h3RsmwYAYw
— Vini Jr. (@vinijr) September 16, 2022
#BailaViniJr @vinijr 👊 pic.twitter.com/MkFPJDSdMK
— EA SPORTS FIFA (@EASPORTSFIFA) September 16, 2022
Vinícius Júnior is an icon
You really need to understand all that he does off the pitch to help communities and what he does on the pitch to take a stand against racism and be himself
I am not exaggerating by saying that if you support him, you are on the right side of history
— The Trivela Effect (@TrivelaEffect) September 16, 2022
The footballing world is praying and hoping Vinicius Junior dances when he scores so we can see what Lord confused koke wants to do
- Biggest joke of a statement of the year. https://t.co/nKa76vrMGG
— Buchi Laba (@Buchi_Laba) September 16, 2022
vinicius junior never stop dancing. pic.twitter.com/nHAzAi0Hlg
— fatma 🧝♀️ (@llasttdance) September 16, 2022
We all stand with Vinicius Junior because he did not make a mistake. The dance celebration is a very normal thing, and every player has the right to his own celebration, and Vinicius is how his celebration is, and it is normal. We all stand with Vini #BailaViniJr pic.twitter.com/CLKOITf9wy
— سعود (@Sau7d_777) September 16, 2022
Ronaldo Nazario supporting Vinicius junior is the reason why he’s the Greatest “Ronaldo” in football
— Essel ✌️ (@thatEsselguy) September 16, 2022
Dancing is part of Brasilian culture, part of it's football. Samba!
Keep on dancing on haters Vinicius Junior! Both on field and on celebrations 🕺 pic.twitter.com/UJIrwktteB
— ACMatt 19🏆 (@ACMatt93) September 16, 2022
🚨🚨 Football Icons like Neymar, Pele, Ronaldo Lima, Thiago Silva, etc, Brazilian FA, Real Madrid & Other Football Players have Come in Total Support for Vinicius Junior ✊🖤🤍👏
NOW, NO ONE CAN STOP #BailaViniJr 🕺🕺🔥 pic.twitter.com/bIFS4FThRe
— AZR (@AzrOrganization) September 17, 2022