Real Madrid ace Vinicius Junior sent a strong message to Valencia fans after scoring at the Mestalla, having been racially abused there last season.

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• Vinicius subjected to racist abuse last season
• Raised his fist to Valencia fans
• Real aiming to stay at top of La Liga

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Vinicius scored for Real Madrid on the stroke of half-time against Valencia, as he bundled in at the back post to make it 2-1 at the Mestalla. He grabbed the ball to go in search of an equaliser but first, he raised his fist towards the home fans, in an already-iconic celebration that carries plenty of meaning.

  Last season, the Brazil superstar was racially abused at the stadium, and his black power celebration is one of both solidarity and strength.

  In the second half, Vinicius levelled proceedings and again gesticulated towards the home supporters, with his strike given after a lengthy VAR check.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  La Liga punished Valencia after their fans racially abused Vinicius, fining them £45,000 and demanding that one stand was closed for five games. An appeal, though, saw that altered to a fine of £25,000, with the stand instead closed for three games. One has to wonder if Vinicius' celebration was also aimed at La Liga, who have taken a frankly pathetic stance on racist abuse suffered by black players under their watch.

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Vinicius has been in excellent form for Real this season and has scored 12 goals in all competitions, while also laying on seven assists. Real's only defeat in La Liga this season – against Atletico Madrid – came when the star was absent due to a hamstring injury.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Real play RB Leipzig in the Champions League in midweek as they aim to reach the quarter-finals. They lead 1-0 from the first leg in Germany.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News