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- Vinicius Jr. in Rio de Janeiro
- Attended the derby between Flamengo and Vasco
- Was honoured by both clubs during half-time
WHAT HAPPENED? The Brazil forward has flown to Rio to take a few days' break from football after completing the European season with Real Madrid. He was in attendance at the Maracana, where his former team Flamengo thrashed Vasco 4-1 in a derby clash. During half-time, the forward took the pitch and was honoured by both teams with a jersey with his name and number printed on the back.
WHAT THEY SAID: “It’ll take a while, but I will be back one day (to Flamengo). Very happy to be here at Maracana, at Flamengo and at a classic. Very happy for everything they did for me. That I can stand firm to continue the fight for those to come," he said.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: After Vinicius faced racial abuse in Spain during Real Madrid's 1-0 defeat at Valencia, Flamengo and Cruzeiro showed their support by sitting down for the first 36 seconds during their Serie A clash in the last week of May after emerging from the tunnel in t-shirts with a message against racism. Flamengo players had "All with Vinicius Jr" printed on their jerseys throughout the game to show solidarity with him.
IN TWO PHOTOS:
WHAT NEXT? Vinicius will be in action against Guinea with the Brazil national team on June 17 before facing Senegal three days later, in Barcelona and Lisbon, respectively.