Many years have passed since the fight against racism began to be a constant theme in world sport, in which there are now retrograde displays, insults, taunts and a sad reality: It will not be easy to eradicate it, much less if those who call themselves victims are not congruent with their stance on the matter.
You don’t have to go very far. Neymar has just starred in another of his long-awaited verbal duels that go from track to social media, justified by his role as a victim of racism against the Spanish defender of Marseille Alvaro Gonzalez, whom he has recently accused of calling him “monkey” during a match in France.
Neymar reappeared with PSG after recovering from an injury at the end of last year and scored the goal that gave his first title to Mauricio Pochettino as coach of the Parisian team against his staunch rival, Marseille. Here, Neymar was reunited with González, who was not sanctioned after an investigation in which it was not verified that he had insulted the Brazilian with the term racist.
On the court, Neymar is a provocateur, playing the role of innocent victim, then attacking from behind with an enviable talent, natural, but almost always at the service of his personal brilliance. He learned this on the tracks in Brazil, where he was constantly hunted for his tendency to dramatize the fouls he received.
In Barcelona this trend slowed down a bit, as he enjoyed a more iron discipline and had less prominence surrounded by the best players, such as Messi and Luis Suárez.
But at PSG, although usually overshadowed by Mbappé, Neymar enjoys his provocations in every game. And he becomes the victim, because he likes to be persecuted, attacked. The problem is that he managed to hook González, a Spanish defense ferry the fatal mistake was to fall into the game of the Brazilian, who caused it in his reunion and, after winning the first trophy of the year, went post a photo to make fun of him.
Innocent, González responded to the mockery, but the insults continued and not even the comparison with Pelé diminished Neymar, who continued to make fun of who had allegedly insulted him with a racist comment. No one wins, not even Neymar, who if he were really interested in fighting racism, would learn something from his former PSG teammate, Edinson Cavani.
The Uruguayan also starred, recently, in a completely opposite episode – like his career – to what Neymar does.
Cavani received an unfair financial fine and a three-match sanction in the Premier League following a complaint for a comment he made on social media, in which he said “Negrito” to an acquaintance to thank him.
From Uruguay began a campaign to make managers in England understand that Cavani’s comment was not an insult. Thus, the #GraciasNegrito began to be a trend to defend the culture of much of America, in which it is very common to affectionately call “black” close people without a racist tone, in return, is a comment that denotes proximity, confidence, without distinguishing skin tone, but exalting. In this context, Negrito is someone you appreciate, someone close. Sure, there are teasing, too, but it will always depend on the context, and although Cavani clearly did not do so with racist intent, he received an unfair fine and punishment.
But unlike Neymar, Cavani did not lie down to cry as the Brazilian usually does. Cavani responded as the great athlete he has been in his career and accepted the fine without becoming the victim.
True, Neymar’s attitude is not criticized for defending himself from an alleged attack. But his way of behaving is provoking others, which would in no way be a justification for them to attack him with racism. But Neymar contributes little to a fight in which Cavani set the example, and even a wine was launched with the label “Thank you Negrito”. Neymar does well in defending himself, but does not show the true face of the victims of racism, as one mockery unties another and the story never ends.
Cavani assured that he will always contribute to the fight against racism and did not debate further, he did not complain. Cavani’s example should have persisted over the false cries of Neymar’s victim, to whom few, really few, could affectionately say, “Thank you, Negrito.”