Real Madrid president upset with superstar after comments on racism in Spain | OneFootball

In a surprising development, it has come to light via SPORT that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is deeply frustrated by recent comments made by Vinicius Jr. regarding racism in Spain.

It must be noted that during the recent international break, Vinicius expressed that while most people in Spain are not racist, there is a small group whose actions tarnish the country’s reputation.

The club has consistently supported Vinicius in his fight against racism, and there are even rumours that some media outlets have tried to manipulate his statements to damage his image.

However, it was the second part of Vinicius’ remarks that caused discomfort within the club.

He suggested that if significant progress isn’t made by 2030, the World Cup should consider moving to another location, as players may not feel safe or comfortable in a country where racism persists.

While he remains hopeful for change and believes there is still time for improvement, his words created a major issue for Real Madrid.

The reason why Perez is upset

Perez has been working hard to ensure the Santiago Bernabeu becomes the second stadium in the world, after the Maracana, to host two World Cup finals.

Vinicius’ comments threatened to undermine these efforts, as the timing and content of his statements caught the club off guard.

Vinicius Jr. sparked controversy after his comments on racism in Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The interview occurred right before the international break, leaving Real Madrid in a tricky position. As there was no official club activity at the time, they were unable to respond immediately.

Any show of support for hosting the 2030 World Cup at the Bernabeu could have been interpreted as a challenge to Vinicius’ stance on racism.

For ten days, the club remained largely silent on the matter, with only Dani Carvajal, one of the team captains, offering an institutional statement.

Controversy amidst Saudi interest

Adding to the tension is Vinicius’ response to a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia. Negotiations to extend his contract with Real Madrid, which runs until June 2027, have been put on hold after he received a staggering offer from the Saudi Pro League.

This offer includes a massive salary and the opportunity to be an ambassador for Saudi Arabia, which is set to host the 2034 World Cup. The total value of this offer is estimated to be around €500 million over five seasons.

The club’s leadership is growing frustrated by Vinicius’ actions, particularly his comments about the World Cup.

This situation has led them to reconsider the possibility of selling the Brazilian star to Saudi Arabia for a record-breaking transfer fee, with the negotiation starting at €1 billion, which matches his release clause.