Vinicius Junior welcomed the eight-month prison sentences given to three Valencia fans on Monday for racially abusing him during a La Liga match last year, calling it a significant step against racism in football.

"This first criminal conviction in Spanish history is not for me. It's for all black people," the Real Madrid and Brazil forward posted on social media. He emphasized his stance as a "destroyer of racists," urging others to be afraid and hide in the shadows. Vinicius thanked La Liga and Real Madrid for their support in achieving this historic verdict and hinted at more actions to come.

The Valencia court convicted the defendants of an offense against moral integrity with the aggravating factor of racially motivated discrimination. Alongside their prison sentences, they were given a two-year ban from attending matches. However, as first-time offenders with no previous criminal records, they will not serve jail time, as Spanish judges often suspend sentences of less than two years.

La Liga president Javier Tebas praised the ruling, noting it sends a strong message that racist behavior in football stadiums will lead to criminal consequences. FIFA president Gianni Infantino called the decision "a positive step" and reiterated that racism has no place in football. Brazilian football federation president Ednaldo Rodrigues acknowledged the decision as a start but called for harsher punishments.

The incident occurred on May 21, 2023, at Valencia's Mestalla stadium, where fans hurled racist abuse and made monkey noises at Vinicius, causing the match to be temporarily halted. Court documents detailed the contemptuous and racist gestures made by the fans, which led to Vinicius feeling frustrated, ashamed, and humiliated.

Real Madrid stated that the convicted fans had admitted their wrongdoing and sent apologies to Vinicius, the club, and those offended by their actions. The club urged fans to avoid all expressions of racism and intolerance.

Vinicius has faced multiple instances of racist abuse since joining Real Madrid in 2018. The incident at the Valencia match was part of a series of racist attacks on the player, including a dark-skinned effigy wearing a Vinicius shirt found hanging from a bridge near the club's training ground in January 2023. The Valencia incident sparked a broader debate about Spain's efforts to combat racism in football, highlighting the need for ongoing vigilance and stronger measures.