Brazil coach Tite called on Real Madrid’s winger, Vinicius Junior, to “dribble” and “dance” and preserve his “essence” in the face of the racism that the player received before and during the Madrid derby against Atletico.
Tite said in a press conference held in Le Havre, France, on the night of the friendly match that he will play against Ghana: “Vinicius, dance and always be at your core, that’s the essence, it’s joy, vibration, celebration.”
The coach demanded, from the Real Madrid winger and all the samba players, to continue showing their “talent and artistry” to everyone who “loves football”.
Tite also noted that Vinicius and his other teammates had already danced together when they celebrated a goal against Chile in the last South American qualifier and that there was no time to disdain the opponent.
He also cited a similar incident in another recent match against Bolivia, when the Brazilians danced together the “palomo dance”, a nickname for Tottenham’s England striker Richarlison..
Tite, who will step down at the end of the World Cup that will be held in Qatar between November and December, spoke this way after the controversy surrounding Vinicius Junior in recent weeks, which was criticized and even chants of a racist and xenophobic nature..
And last Sunday, a group of Atlético de Madrid fans sang “Vinicius you are a monkey” in the vicinity of the Civitas Metropolitano, minutes before the derby match against Real Madrid, which was also widely condemned in Brazil and Spain..