Vinicius Junior Wins Socrates Award Before Delivering Anti-Racism Speech At Ballon d'Or Ceremony

Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior won the 2023 Socrates Award at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris. He was then urged by Didier Drogba to speak about racism.

Real Madrid and Brazil winger Vinicius Junior won the 2023 Socrates Award at Monday's Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris.

The prize - which was created to acknowledge footballers for their humanitarian work - was won by Sadio Mane in 2022.

In 2021, Vinicius set up the Instituto Vini Jr - an organization which aims to use technology and sport to educate young Brazilians and to help make Brazil a more equal place.

Vinicius has to date invested more than $4 million into the project. 

.@vinijr after winning the Socrates Award! #prixsocrates with @peaceandsport / #ballondor pic.twitter.com/UakgEeirhP

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 30, 2023

Vinicius has been subjected to countless instances of racist abuse during his career in Spain and he was encouraged to speak about the subject by Didier Drogba, who was hosting Monday's awards ceremony.

Former Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Drogba told Vinicius: "Thank you for what you are doing for the less fortunate kids. It makes me really, really proud.

"But I want to talk about something that makes be prouder. It's your fight against racism.

"You have experienced it way too many times as a player and I would like you to use the Ballon d'Or ceremony as a platform to send a strong message to the world, please."

Vinicius Junior pictured at the 2023 Ballon d'Or awards ceremony in Paris :: IMAGO/PA Images/Adam Davy

Speaking in Portuguese, Vinicius then said: "I will remain strong in the fight against racism. It is a very sad thing to talk about racism nowadays, but we have to continue in the fight so that people suffer less.

"I am very happy to receive this award and to help many children in Brazil. I had little chance of getting where I have coming from where I came, so it is a pleasure for me to help as many kids as I can so they can have a chance."

He added: "It is important to be together and fight racism. I would like to thank all the great players here who help us to fight."

The speech was greeted with loud applause before Drogba added: "Vinicius, you are not alone in this fight.

"It has been going on for too long, way too long, and I would like to urge football authorities and governments to act.

"It is time for real actions to eradicate racism, not only in stadiums, but everywhere in the world."

Vinicius finished sixth in the vote for the 2023 Ballon d'Or award, which was won by Lionel Messi.

💬 Vinicius Jr : «It is important to be together and fight racism. I would like to thank all the great players here who help us to fight.»#ballondor pic.twitter.com/Q15S6jyNZ8

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 30, 2023