Real Madrid and Brazil forward Vinícius Júnior said Spain should be stripped of the 2030 World Cup hosting rights unless it improves on the issue of racism.

The Brazilian forward has been subject to shocking abuse since playing for the Madrid club, and earlier this year broke down in tears at a press conference while he was discussing the subject.

His calls this week came while he was speaking to US cable news network CNN.

“I hope that Spain can evolve and understand how serious it is to insult someone based on the color of their skin. Until 2030, we have a very large margin for evolution. So I hope that Spain can evolve and understand how serious it is to insult a person based on the color of their skin, because if by 2030 things do not evolve, I think we need to change the location (of the World Cup), because if the player does not feel comfortable and does not feel safe playing in a country where he may suffer racism, it’s a bit complicated,” he said.

“I want to do everything possible for things to change, because there are many people in Spain, the majority, who are not racist. It is a small group that ends up affecting the image of a country where it is very good to live. I love playing for Real Madrid. I love Spain, having the best conditions to live here with my family. We hope that things can evolve more, they have already evolved so far, but they can evolve much more and by 2030, cases of racists and racism can and must decrease,” he added.

The issue of racism in Spanish football received worldwide attention when the Brazil international was racially abused by fans at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium in May 2023.

The 24-year-old has been targeted with abuse as many as 16 times in the last 18 months in Spain, according to press reports.

Spain will be serving as one of three hosts for the 2030 World Cup, along with Morocco and Portugal.

Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay will host the first three games of the tournament.