Brazilian striker Rodrygo (22) revealed that he has been subjected to racist messages on his social media accounts following a disagreement with Argentina’s captain Lionel Messi (36) before their World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
The 1-0 loss for Brazil against Argentina in Rio de Janeiro, marking the five-time world champions’ third consecutive defeat, was marred by violence.
Clashes between police and visiting fans at the Maracana stadium led to a half-hour delay in the match.
Messi, who accused local police of brutality, engaged with Brazil captain Marquinhos (28) and exchanged heated words with Rodrygo.
The 22-year-old striker disclosed that he received numerous messages featuring emojis of monkeys and bananas, highlighting the disturbing aspect of racism associated with the incident.
“Racists are always on duty. My social networks were invaded with insults and all sorts of nonsense,” Rodrygo wrote 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 added.
“Bad luck for them. We won’t stop.”
Brazil forward Vinicius Jr (23), who missed the Argentina game due to injury, supported his team mate.
“We will not stop,” he wrote on Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter.