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'Wearing No 20 shirt doesn't stop racism' - Fans react as Real Madrid players wear Vinícius Júnior’s jersey ahead of game against Rayo Vallecano

Real Madrid players came out wearing Vinícius Júnior’s jersey ahead of game their against Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.

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Real Madrid

Real Madrid (Source: Twitter)

Real Madrid Real Madrid (Source: Twitter)

Real Madrid players came out wearing Vinícius Júnior's No. 20 jersey in support of their forward ahead of Wednesday's La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano. The Brazilian international was not on the field due to what the club said was a minor knee injury, but his teammates lined up with their backs to the spectators, showing Vincius' jersey in solidarity with their star, who was subjected to yet another episode of racial abuse on Sunday.

The 22-year-old made a quick appearance before the game to salute the supporters, and in the 20th minute, he stood up and saluted the crowd from the VIP section as a thank-you gesture to the fans who applauded and chanted his name. Vincius watched the game alongside club president Florentino Pérez, and when his national teammate Rodrygo netted the winning goal in the 89th minute, he was spotted raising his right fist above his head in a stand against racism.

A huge banner with the words “We are all Vinicius. Enough" was placed inside the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium behind one of the goals. Many fans were seen waving placards condemning racism and praising Vinícius outside the stadium. Furthermore, as part of a new anti-racism campaign launched by the Spanish league, the Spanish soccer federation and the government, players from both squads raised a banner reading "racists out of football" before the match.

Both Madrid and Vallecano players wore armbands with anti-racism messages. Anti-racist slogans were also shown during the national and international telecast of the game. Meanwhile, Madrid's women's soccer and men's basketball teams also wore Vincius' No. 20 shirts to their games on Wednesday.

I will go all the way against the racists: Vini Jr

The repeated racist attacks against Vini Jr in the Spanish League came to light once again during his team’s 1-0 loss to Valencia on May 21. Racist chants from the stands forced him to make an emotional but strong statement in which he declared that the Spanish league "belongs to racists."

“It wasn’t the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in La Liga. The competition thinks it’s normal, the Federation does too and the opponents encourage it. I’m so sorry. The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi today belongs to racists.”

“A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but which accepted to export to the world the image of a racist country. I am sorry for those Spaniards who disagree but today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists. I am strong and I will go all the way against the racists. Even if it is far away from here,” he added.

Here's how fans reacted to Real Madrid players wearing Vinicius Jr's jersey:

Real Madrid Twitter Reactions