Prior to Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier between Argentina and Brazil, attacker Rodrygo of Brazil claimed to have had a disagreement with captain Lionel Messi of Argentina and to have received racist remarks on social media.
Violence characterised Brazil’s 1-0 loss against Argentina in Rio de Janeiro, the five-time world champions’ third straight loss. The game was delayed by thirty minutes due to altercations between police and foreign spectators at the Maracana stadium.
Messi, who accused the local police of being abusive, was seen arguing angrily with Rodrygo, who claimed to have received numerous messages featuring the emojis of bananas and monkeys, and talking with Brazil’s captain Marquinhos.
“There is always work for racers. I was inundated with insults and all kinds of crap on my social networks,” Rodrygo posted on Instagram on Thursday.
“If we don’t do what they want, if we don’t behave as they think we should, if we wear something that annoys them, if we don’t lower our heads when they attack us, if we occupy spaces they think are theirs alone, the racists will act out their criminal behaviour,” he stated. “I hope they have bad luck. We’re not going to give up.”
Vinicius Jr., a forward for Brazil who was injured and missed the Argentina match, encouraged his colleague.
He declared, “We will not stop,” on Twitter, X, and Instagram.