Vinicius Junior, a winger for Real Madrid and Brazil, took up the 2023 Socrates Award at Monday’s Ballon d’Or event in Paris.
Sadio Mane was the 2022 recipient of this award, which was established to recognize football players for their charitable contributions.
Vinicius founded the Instituto Vini Jr. in 2021 with the goal of educating young Brazilians and promoting equality in Brazil through sports and technology.
Thus far, Vinicius has contributed almost $4 million to the initiative.
Didier Drogba, who hosted the awards ceremony on Monday, encouraged Vinicius to talk about the numerous incidents of racist abuse he endured while playing in Spain.
“Thank you for what you are doing for the less fortunate kids,” Drogba, the former striker for Chelsea and the Ivory Coast, said to Vinicius. I’m incredibly proud of it.
However, I’d want to discuss something that makes me even more proud. You are the one fighting ɾаcιsm.
“You have experienced it way too many times as a player and I would like you to use the Ballon d’Or ceremony as a platform to send a strong message to the world, please.”
Vinicius Junior pictured at the 2023 Ballon d’Or awards ceremony in Paris
IMAGO/PA Images/Adam Davy
Speaking in Portuguese, Vinicius then said: “I will remain strong in the fight against ɾаcιsm. It is a very sad thing to talk about ɾаcιsm nowadays, but we have to continue in the fight so that people suffer less.
“I am very happy to receive this award and to help many children in Brazil. I had little chance of getting where I have coming from where I came, so it is a pleasure for me to help as many kids as I can so they can have a chance.”
He added: “It is important to be together and fight ɾаcιsm. I would like to thank all the great players here who help us to fight.”
The speech was greeted with loud applause before Drogba added: “Vinicius, you are not alone in this fight.
“It has been going on for too long, way too long, and I would like to urge football authorities and governments to act.
“It is time for real actions to eradicate ɾаcιsm, not only in stadiums, but everywhere in the world.”
Vinicius finished sixth in the vote for the 2023 Ballon d’Or award, which was won by Lionel Messi.
