Vinicius Junior Calls Out Spain on Racism

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has stirred controversy by stating that Spain should not host the 2030 World Cup unless it effectively addresses its racism issues. In a CNN interview, he emphasized that if no progress is made by 2030, the host nation should be reconsidered, a statement that Madrid's mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, condemned as potentially damaging to Spain's image. The mayor acknowledged existing racial issues but insisted that Spain is not inherently a racist society. Vinicius, who has faced repeated racist abuse since joining Real Madrid, clarified that he loves living in Spain and believes the majority of Spaniards are not racist, attributing the problem to a small minority. His comments have sparked significant debate in Spain, with some defending him while others feel he unfairly generalizes the situation. The 2030 World Cup is set to be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.