Many years have passed since the fight against racism began to become a constant theme in world sport, in which there are currently retrograde displays, insults, ridicule and a sad reality: it will not be easy to eradicate it, let alone if those who call themselves victims are not in accordance with his position on the matter.
You don’t have to go far. Neymar has just starred in one of his highly anticipated verbal duels going from court to social networks, justified by his role as a victim of racism against Marseille’s Spanish defender Alvaro Gonzalez, whom he recently accused of calling him ‘monkey’ during a match in France.
Neymar rejoined PSG after recovering from an injury late last year, scoring the goal that earned Mauricio Pochettino his first title as coach of the Paris team against fierce rival Marseille. There, Neymar was reunited with González, who was not punished after an investigation that did not prove that he had offended the Brazilian with the term racist.
On the field, Neymar is a provocateur, he plays the role of an innocent victim and then attacks from behind with an enviable talent, of course, but almost always in the service of his personal genius. He learned this in the courts of Brazil, where he was constantly hunted for his tendency to dramatize the mistakes he had suffered.
In Barcelona, that trend went down a bit, as he enjoyed a more rigid discipline and was less known, surrounded by the best players, such as Messi and Luis Suárez.
But at PSG, although mostly overshadowed by Mbappé, Neymar enjoys his provocations in every game. And he plays the victim, because he likes to be chased, attacked. The problem is that he managed to catch González, a fierce Spanish defender whose fatal mistake fell in the Brazilian’s game, which caused him at their reunion and, after winning the first trophy of the year, published a photo to fool him hold.
González responded innocently to the mockery, but the insults continued and even the comparison to Pelé did not detract from Neymar, who continued to mock the man who allegedly insulted him with a racist remark. No one wins, not even Neymar, that if he were really interested in fighting racism, he would learn from his former PSG teammate Edinson Cavani.
The Uruguayan also recently starred in an episode that – like his career – is completely opposite to what Neymar does.
Cavani was given an unfair financial fine and a three-game penalty in the Premier League after complaining about a comment he made on social networks, calling an acquaintance “Negrito” to thank him.
A campaign began from Uruguay to make managers in England understand that Cavani’s comment was not an insult. So the #GraciasNegrito started to become a trend to defend the culture of much of America, in which it is very common to call people lovingly close to ‘black’ without a racist tone, on the contrary, it is a comment that indicates closeness, trust, without distinguishing the skin color, but enhancing it. In that context, Negrito is someone you appreciate, someone close to you. Of course there is also teasing, but it will always depend on the context, and while Cavani clearly did not do it with racist intentions, he was given an unfair fine and punishment.
But unlike Neymar, Cavani didn’t fall to the ground to cry like the Brazilian usually does. Cavani responded as the great athlete he was in his career and accepted the penalty without playing the victim.
Admittedly, Neymar’s attitude is not criticized for defending himself against an alleged attack. But his way of acting provokes others, which would in no way justify attacking him with racism. But Neymar contributes little to a fight in which Cavani set the example, even launching a wine labeled “Gracias Negrito”. Neymar does well to defend himself, but he doesn’t show the true face of the victims of racism, as one spot unleashes another and the story never ends.
Cavani assured he will always contribute to the fight against racism and did not argue anymore, did not complain. Cavani’s example would have to endure despite the false cries of Neymar’s victim, to whom few, very few, could say with affection, “Thank you, Negrito.”