“You’re a Monkey”: Shocking Scenes at Carlos Belmonte
Once again, Spanish football is overshadowed by racism. Ahead of the Copa del Rey Round of 16 match between Albacete and Real Madrid, groups of home fans were filmed directed racial slurs at Vinicius Jr. A video published by the Spanish outlet AS captured the moment fans chanted “Vinicius, eres un mono” (“Vinicius, you are a monkey”) as the Real Madrid bus approached the Carlos Belmonte stadium.
Thibaut Courtois Leads the Defense
While Real Madrid has yet to release an official statement, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois who was rested for this fixture took to social media to defend his teammate. Reposting the footage of the abuse, the Belgian international was blunt:
“Enough of racism already! This is shameful,” Courtois wrote.
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A Relentless Cycle of Abuse
Vinicius Jr. has become the global face of the fight against racism in football, but the attacks show no signs of stopping. This latest incident adds to a dark list of precedents:
- Valencia (2023): The infamous Mestalla stadium incident that sparked worldwide outrage.
- Atlético Madrid Derby: Fans previously filmed chanting “Vinicius chimpanzee” outside the Metropolitano.
Despite being a leading activist, Vini Jr. has remained silent so far, focusing on the pitch as the match progresses.
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Authorities Under Pressure
As the 2026 season continues, the pressure on the Spanish Federation (RFEF) and La Liga to take definitive action is at an all-time high. With Real Madrid fans demanding stadium bans for the perpetrators, the footballing world waits to see if Albacete will face sanctions for their supporters’ behavior.
