Mueez Ajao
– Chelsea forward Joao Felix has defended Vinicius Junior’s style of play following constant criticism and racist abuse of the Real Madrid forward by fans of opposing teams.
– The Brazil international is the most fouled player in Europe’s top seven leagues, and Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti had said Vinicius is targeted and provoked by the opposition.
– “I don’t understand the criticism of Vinicius,” Felix, who joined Chelsea on loan from Atletico Madrid last month, said to Spanish outlet AS.
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– “Perhaps it’s because he’s better than everyone else, perhaps because he makes dribbles that others can’t do, because he is faster than others, he scores goals, he gives assists.
– “He is going through a very good spell, and it feels as though people are against him. I’m a friend of his, I speak to him and I like his football.”
– Vinicius, 22, had a heated exchange with several Mallorca players during Madrid’s 1-0 league defeat on Sunday in the Son Moix stadium.
– Mallorca coach Javier Aguirre was also critical of the player, saying the forward showed “a lack of respect” towards his team.
– “I have seen Vinicius ask for yellow cards, dance, stick out his tongue, cheer on the stands … Of course, I don’t like my players to do it or my rivals to do it. I feel it as a lack of respect for the rival,” Aguirre said.
– Felix believes Vinicius’ way of playing is “fun” and he should not change.
– “His dribbles provoke but that’s football,” the Portugal international said. “It’s his football, it’s fun and I like it …[rival] players get annoyed because of it [his style of playing] but they shouldn’t.
– “Football is not only passing, kicking, running behind the rival, defending … it has to have dribbling, magic, which unfortunately you see less and less. I would tell him to continue to do the same.”
– As for the racist abuse that Vinicius is being subjected to in Spain, Felix said: “It’s a pity that racist issues come out. There are ways of criticising without getting into that.”
– The latest incident was during Madrid’s game at Mallorca on Sunday. LaLiga have filed a complaint with a court in Mallorca to punish those responsible but Vinicius believes Spanish authorities must do more to stop it.
