Atletico Madrid winger Samuel Lino has played down concerns over racism in Spain, insisting he has never encountered it while playing football in the country.
Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jnr has been outspoken on the subject after being the target of abuse on at least 16 occasions in recent years.
The European nation is due to co-host the 2030 World Cup, but Vinicius believes the games should be taken away from Spain unless they take a stronger stance on racism.
But Lino, 24, has appeared to suggest that racism in Spain is not a major issue as he addressed Vinicius’s comments.
‘Each player is managed in a different way by the club, the representatives, the family… Saying that is something serious, but I have nothing to do with those controversies, he told RNE’s Tablero Deportivo via Football Espana.
Atletico Madrid’s Samuel Lino (pictured) claimed he has never encountered racism in Spain
His comments come after Vinicius Jnr called for Spain to be removed as 2030 World Cup hosts unless action is taken on racism
‘He does what he wants with his life and his career and I hope everything goes well. Personally, I’ve never had any problems (with racism in Spain).’
‘I’m not much of a talk person with Vini, I don’t have a friendship with him. I admire his football and the player he is, I don’t have much more to talk about.’
Lino is not the only high-profile name to respond to Vinicius’s statement, as LaLiga president Javier Tebas also hit back at the Brazilian last week, claiming his argument for Spain having the World Cup taken away was ‘incoherent’.
But the Ballon d’Or contender has been outspoken with his view that action needs to be taken to remove racism from Spanish society.
Last month, Vinicius vowed to walk off the pitch with his Real Madrid team-mates if any of the players were targeted by fans this season.
The 24-year-old was left in tears at a press conference earlier this year when he discussed the subject of racism after repeatedly being on the receiving end of vile abuse.
He has since admitted that the attitude towards racism in Spain is ‘slowly changing’ after three men were handed eight-month prison sentences in June for their racist remarks and gestures towards him during a match against Valencia in May 2023, bust still feels there is more work to be done.
Vinicius was the target of abuse in May 2023, leading to three men being handed jail sentences
‘I already see and feel the difference in Spain,’ Vinicius told The Mirror. ‘Today – maybe they are still racists – but nowadays they are afraid to express themselves in the football field, and in places where there are a lot of cameras.
‘And with that we will reduce racism, little by little. Of course we won’t be able to end it but I’m already happy that I’m being able to change Spain’s mindset. In the last few months there were three people who were jailed for insulting me in one of the games.
‘That’s something that will always be stamped in history. Because it was the first time and each time they do it again, it will be possible to make them pay for making Black people suffer.’
