Old Guard, New Echoes: Does Vinícius Jr. Deserve the Hype or a Quiet Ball?
20 February 2026
Context and remarks by Jorge López Marco
Jorge López Marco “Totti”, the 47-year-old Spanish former forward who wore Real Madrid and Benfica shirts, sparked debate with comments on the alleged racist abuse directed at Vinícius Júnior, suggesting that an overblown reaction does not serve football.
Vinícius Jr. and the weight of reaction
In an interview with the Despierta San Francisco program via Radio Marca, López stated: “Vinícius does not seem to me to be the victim or the one to pity. I condemn insults, but I see a lot of hype compared to what happened.” He framed the incident as part of what he called the stadium’s historic mischief in football.
He added that such acts are not new to the sport; everyone has heard vile chants inside stadiums, and some offenses are given front-page treatment while others fade from view.
López criticized the idea of players leaving the pitch as a response to insults, arguing that fans travel thousands of kilometers and spend significant sums to watch matches and deserve to see players stay on the field and perform, just as Vinícius did by scoring a superb goal.
He noted that Vinícius himself often covers his mouth during conversations in many games, including moments at the Da Luz stadium.
In closing, López argued that opponents sometimes provoke players to derail them from the game rather than to express racism, and that players must show maturity and resilience.
The discussion also touched on the Osasuna vs Real Madrid context in the Spanish league, illustrating how the controversy sits within a broader league narrative.
Conclusion: the old guard’s view clashes with ongoing efforts to root out discrimination, but López insists on measured responses, not sensationalism.
Two light punchlines to end: If insults were disallowed, the stadium would be quieter than a library after finals. And if drama counted as goals, some fans would have a hat-trick by halftime.
