forward has issued his support for his Brazil teammate Vinicius Junior, after the star was the subject of racist abuse.
Vinicius made headlines last week when he called out a television pundit who used a racist remark to describe the forward who was bizarrely criticising his goal celebrations.
The abuse has not stopped there though, with Atletico fans allegedly singing racist songs during last Sunday’s Madrid derby, while cups and other objects were thrown at the Real players during Los Blancos’ 2-1 win.
La Liga has already issued a statement condemning the abuse, while Vinicius’ teammates, both at club and international level, have shared their support for the 22-year-old.
Antony, who is currently on Brazil duty with Vinicius, is the latest player to do so, saying: ‘There are many things I don’t agree with. We cannot lose this joy, this essence that we have.
‘And it wasn’t just us, Brazilian players when we score a goal, we dance. Or when you do a skill. Players from Europe also do this.
‘What I don’t understand is always having those eyes for the Brazilian player. It’s always booking Neymar or Vinicius Junior for dancing. That’s what I don’t understand, not only Brazilian players do it, but Europeans do it too.
‘What we have with us is not to lose the joy and this essence that we have. Of course, always respecting the opponent, always respecting the person.
‘But we cannot lose something that we have with us. I myself have a dribbling trait, but I can’t stop doing it because people talk.
‘So, this essence, this joy that we have we will keep. I speak for myself, as Vinicius went through this, Neymar himself went through this situation.’
Antony and Vinicius will be in contention to play in the upcoming friendlies against Ghana and Tunisia, Brazil’s last games before the World Cup kicks-off in November.
, .
,  and .
