Tension rises over the Spain 2030 World Cup. As if addressing a country stuck in a time warp, Vinícius Júnior seemed unfazed by the torrent of abuse that poured onto his social media platforms, like a biblical flood. His indirect jab at FIFA did not sit well in Spain, where he openly criticised the racism treatment he has received in the past, even suggesting that if things didn’t improve, Spain should "withdraw its bid for the 2030 World Cup".

Many Spaniards, government officials among them, were left in shock, grappling with the gravity of Vincius’s televised remarks.

To grasp the essence of the Brazilian forward’s statements, one must look back a few years as, unfortunately, Vinícius has frequently been subjected to racist slurs both on and off the pitch.

On December 30, 2022, during a high-intensity league match against Real Valladolid, he was targeted by monkey chants from the stands. LaLiga swiftly responded, filing a hate crime complaint with the Valladolid courts and referring the case to the RFEF’s Competition Committee.

The drama continued in January 2023 when a black doll in Vinícius’s jersey was found hanging from a bridge in Madrid.

Then the situation heated up in May 2023, during a tense encounter between Madrid and Valencia, where racist insults led to the arrest of seven individuals. By June, three Valencia supporters faced eight-month prison sentences.

Despite these unfortunate incidents, there is a notable faction that, while condemning racism, slates Vinícius for his "provocative" demeanor. This issue is well-known, especially among rival Real Madrid fans, fueling debates about his on-field attitude.

Fast forward to the present, and after Vinícius's recent comments on Spain’s racial issues, the response was swift and direct as many Spaniards were quick to admonish Vinícius for his remarks about potentially relocating the World Cup venue if conditions did not improve.

 However, despite the media frenzy, sources from Marca and Mundo Deportivo, two prominent Spanish newspapers, suggest that this will not impact Spain’s joint organisation with Morocco and Portugal of the 2030 World Cup.

This has merely become another chapter in the ongoing controversy between the Brazilian star and his host country, which he has always praised. Yet, the prevailing sentiment among Spaniards remains focused on Vinícius’s controversial statements.

The debate now rages over whether, as Vinícius suggests, Spain is indeed a racist country—a label the Brazilian has slapped on his adopted homeland in the international spotlight. In response, poiltical figures like Madrid’s Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida have urged Vinícius to "immediately rectify" his comments.

Taking advantage of the media buzz, various outlets have highlighted a 2023 report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), which indicated that Spain is among the least racist countries in Europe, with only 24% of black individuals feeling discriminated against. However, this does not negate the need for further progress to reduce this figure to zero.

This result is not a mere coincidence but rather a consequence of a player who, while dazzling on the field with his skillful dribbling and dances, might be seen as focusing too much beyond the pitch. Former player Pintinho, who has lived in Spain for 45 years, stated, "Spain is not a racist country; I’ve never been called ‘black’ here." Atlético Madrid icon Milinko Pantic also chimed in, reminding Vinícius that "living in Spain is a privilege, and he knows it."

From the Real Madrid camp, there has been a notable silence regarding the storm caused by one of their stars. Acknowledging that supporting Vinícius might further ignite the controversy, and potentially exacerbate the rumored move to Saudi Arabia for a lucrative contract, the club remains cautious.

American activist Rosa Parks once said, "You must never be afraid to do what’s right." Whether he has acted correctly or owes an apology to the country that has given him a home and nationality, the ball is now on Vinícius' court.