Racist Messages Hit La Liga: Yamal and Vinícius Put to the Test
17 November 2025
La Liga under fire as online hate and stadium incidents come under scrutiny
The Spanish Observatory against Racism and Xenophobia (Oberax) released a comprehensive report on footballers and clubs most affected by hate crimes on social media in Spain. The findings emphasize the scale of online abuse and its implications for players, clubs, and fans alike.
Brazilian star Vinícius Júnior of Real Madrid has endured racist abuse during La Liga matches for more than a season, but the report notes he is not the sole target of online hate. According to Oberax, the player most subjected to content qualifying as hate crimes is Lamine Yamal, Barcelona’s rising star, by a wide margin.
The observatory also reported that 60% of the abuse originated on social media platforms. Yamal leads the list of individuals targeted, with Vinícius Júnior a distant second at 29%, followed by French forward Kylian Mbappé (3%), then Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde, and the Williams brothers Nico and Iñaki (two percent combined), and Ibrahim Díaz at 2% respectively.
At the club level, Real Madrid tops the list of teams most exposed to hate on social media (34%), followed by Barcelona (32%), with Real Valladolid (17%), Valencia (8%), Athletic Bilbao (6%), Real Sociedad (5%), and Atlético Madrid (4%) also affected.
The narrative around Vinícius is more than a sports story; it has become a global conversation about racism in football and society. What began as taunts on the pitch has evolved into a broader campaign for accountability and change in how the sport addresses hate both online and offline.
Initially, the winger tried to ignore the abuse, but the persistence and lack of deterrence pushed him to publicly address the issue and confront the sources head-on. He has since become a global symbol in the fight against racism, supported by Real Madrid, peers around the world, and even the Brazilian government.
"La Liga under the microscope"
The Spanish league and football authorities have faced sharp criticism for slow decision-making and relatively weak sanctions against clubs and fans implicated in racist abuse. In response to international pressure, authorities have begun implementing tougher measures, including criminal investigations, suspensions, and enhanced security in stadiums. Yet many observers argue that more decisive action is still needed to curb this behavior and protect players.
The crisis has influenced Vinícius’s character and future as a player and advocate. He remains focused on performing at the highest level while using his platform to push for social change and to stand up for players who face similar harassment across Europe.
Aside from the individual cases, there is also a broader political dimension. The Spanish Football Federation issued a strong statement criticizing Barcelona for the way Yamal’s medical arrangements were handled during a national team camp, prompting reflections on coordination and transparency between clubs, leagues, and the national team.
Barcelona reportedly sought expert medical opinions to monitor Yamal’s condition and consulted a Belgian physician renowned for treating athletic groin injuries. The doctor has handled thousands of cases, underscoring the seriousness with which the club is approaching the matter and highlighting the professional networks sports medicine relies on in high-stakes football.
In the end, the overarching message is clear: racism has no place in football, and the sport must confront it with resolve, accountability, and sustained effort. Football is often described as a mirror of society; let this reflection show progress rather than prejudice.
Punchline time: If racism were a goalkeeper, Yamal would nutmeg it with a smile and still keep the ball. Punchline two: In football, the offside rule should apply to racism too—yet apparently some people forgot to read the rulebook.
