Vinícius Jr. and His Documentary Spark Outrage in Spain
Valencia CF demands a correction over controversial footage in ‘Baila, Vini’ and warns of possible legal action.
The newly released documentary ‘Baila, Vini’, which highlights the life and career of Vinícius Jr., has ignited a major controversy in Spanish football. Valencia CF issued an official statement rejecting the portrayal of an incident during a 2023 match at Mestalla, demanding an immediate correction from the documentary’s producers.
Controversial Subtitles Fuel the Fire
The Valencian club argues that the documentary misrepresents the facts. In one particular scene, fans at Mestalla are heard chanting “tonto, tonto” (“fool, fool”), yet the subtitles inaccurately display the chant as “mono, mono” (“monkey, monkey”), a racist slur that has a much heavier connotation.
In response, Valencia CF posted on their official X account: “In defense of the injustice and falsehoods directed at Valencia CF fans, the club has demanded an immediate written correction from the producers of the documentary over the events at Mestalla, which do not reflect reality. Truth and respect for our supporters must prevail. The club reserves the right to take legal action as necessary.”
Legal Precedents and the Club’s Stance
It’s worth noting that following that match, three individuals were prosecuted and found guilty of a crime against moral integrity with the aggravating factor of racial discrimination. However, Valencia CF insists that using this case to generalize and label the entire fan base as racist is not only unfair but deeply damaging—especially when based on what they claim is a misrepresented video clip.
Even Carlo Ancelotti, manager of Real Madrid, who had initially supported Vinícius Jr.’s claims after the match, later revised his statements once additional context came to light.
This controversy has reignited broader discussions around racism in football, the editorial responsibility of content creators, and the importance of accurate representation in documentaries. As of now, Vinícius Jr.’s documentary continues to generate strong reactions across Spain, and legal proceedings could follow if a public correction is not issued soon.
