Real Madrid striker Vinicius Júnior was decorated this Wednesday with the main distinctions granted by the regional and municipal legislatures of Rio de Janeiroin a ceremony at the maracana stadium in which the regional law against racism that bears his name was established.
“Today is a very special day and I hope my family is very proud. I am very young and I did not expect that, being so young, I would be at the Maracana, in such a special place for me, receiving this tribute”, said the Real Madrid and Brazilian team player at the ceremony.
The striker called up by Brazil to play the Qatar World Cup 2022 received both the Tiradentes Medal, main award given by the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiroas the Pedro Ernest Medalthe main one granted by the Municipal Council of this city.
“Sometimes I wonder if I deserve so much. I did not expect so many awards and receive all that love at the Maracana, where I attended and played so many Flamengo matches. It’s exciting,” added the striker.
The soccer player’s decision to directly confront the fans who made racist insults at him in a match between the real Madrid and the Valencia in the Spanish League inspired the law against racism in stadiums that comes into force as of this Wednesday in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
The law, authored by the leftist deputy Professor Josimar and sanctioned by the governor claudio castroprovides for matches to be automatically suspended when racist insults are recorded and even permanently if discrimination persists.
The so-called ‘Vini Jr Law’ also sets the Protocol to Combat Racism, that guides any citizen on how to report racist behavior to any authority in a stadium. In addition to the medals, the Municipal Council also awarded the footballer the title of ‘Carioca Citizen’.
At the event, the Real Madrid striker also left his footprints engraved on the Maracana Walk of Fame, the largest football temple in Brazil and where stars like Pelé, Garrincha, Rivelino and Ronaldo.
“It is an honor to pay this tribute to a footballer who is an idol of Brazilian football, Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro. In addition to carrying all the achievements of his football career, Vinicius also became a symbol of the fight against racism,” said the regional secretary of Sports of Rio de Janeiro, Raphael Picciani.
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