Dani Carvajal (32 years old) will celebrate his 50th selection with Spain, this Thursday against Serbia (8:45 p.m.), and will wear the captain’s armband to celebrate this honorary milestone. But he did not wait for this match to defend his country. On Wednesday, the Real Madrid right-back reacted to the comments of Vinicius Jr, his club teammate, assuring that the organization of the 2030 World Cup will have to be withdrawn from Spain if the scourge of racism is not resolved by then.
“I don’t think Spain doesn’t deserve to celebrate a World Cup”
“There is no doubt that Spain is not a racist country,” Carvajal retorted. “Since I was little, I grew up with many nationalities in my neighborhood, in Leganés. Spain is not a racist country. We are totally against any situation of racism in the stadiums. I know what Vini is going through and we support him both internally and publicly. I think that La Liga is improving and protocols are being developed so that the crazy people cannot return to sporting events. But, beyond these people, I do not consider that Spain does not deserve to celebrate a World Cup.”
Very regularly targeted by opposing fans in Spain, the Brazilian winger has been the target of threats and racist insults several times. In an interview with CNN at the end of August, he had called on the country to act quickly to put an end to his excesses by raising the specter of hosting the 2030 World Cup.
“If things don’t change before 2030, I think the World Cup has to change location because the player doesn’t feel comfortable and safe playing in a country where he can suffer from racism,” he said. “It’s complicated, but I believe in it and I want to do everything to change things because there are many people in Spain, even the majority, who are not racist, but there is a small group that ends up damaging the image of a country where life is so good. I love being here and I love playing for Real Madrid.” He added a small note of optimism to this change in mentality. “I already see and feel differences in Spain today, there are people who are perhaps still racist but who are now afraid to express themselves on a football pitch and in places where there are a lot of cameras.”
- RMC Sport
