In his speech, he shared reflections on his journey and the obstacles he overcame, including experiences of racism that marked his trajectory
The striker was recognized as the best player in the world during The Best ceremony, held in , . In his speech, he shared reflections on his journey and the obstacles he overcame, including experiences of racism that marked his trajectory. Excited, Vini Jr recalled his childhood, when he played barefoot amidst difficulties. “It was a distant dream, almost impossible. I grew up in an environment marked by poverty and violence. I am grateful to everyone who voted for me and to my family, who sacrificed their own dreams so that I could follow mine,” he declared. The player also addressed his followers on social media, emphasizing the importance of this moment in his life. “Today, I write to that boy who saw his idols receive this award. Finally, it was my turn to say: yes, I am the best player in the world and I fought hard to achieve that”, he said.
Vini Jr did not fail to address the issue of racism, highlighting the difficulties he faced throughout his career. “They tried to belittle me, but no one can decide who I should fight for. When I was in São Gonçalo, the system didn’t care about me. I was almost swallowed by this reality”, he stated. The athlete also made a point of thanking everyone who supported him on his journey. “This victory is mine, but it also belongs to my family, Flamengo, Real Madrid, the Brazilian team and everyone who was by my side”, he added.
Published by Sarah Paula
*Report produced with the help of AI
