Evra criticizes Mourinho and defends Vinícius against racism.

Patrice Evra, an undeniable voice in world football, has reignited the debate on racism in the beautiful game, launching direct and pointed criticisms regarding one of the most controversial incidents in recent times involving Vinícius Júnior. In exclusive statements to The Athletic, the former left-back of Manchester United and Juventus did not hold back in his criticism of José Mourinho, describing his attitude as “sad” and emphasizing that the young star of Real Madrid is becoming a “target” of unacceptable racist attacks.

Evra, who won five Premier League titles, one Champions League, and two Italian championships, did not hesitate to draw a parallel between his own episode with Luis Suárez in 2011 and the recent case involving racist insults from Gianluca Prestianni, a player for Benfica, during a Champions League match. “It’s sad. Vinícius has to keep insisting on the issue. He is the target, that’s what he will feel,” he stated, recalling that “when these things happen, you feel an injustice because, even if you are the one saying what happened, the accused will play the victim.”

The former French player criticized how detractors focus on criticizing the Brazilian athlete’s reaction, saying, “They say: ‘Why is he dancing, why is he provoking?’. They give an excuse for someone to insult him just because he dances when he scores a goal.” This analysis reveals the persistent hypocrisy surrounding racist incidents in football, where the victim ends up being questioned and blamed for their behavior.

Recalling his own confrontation with Suárez, Evra described the internal conflict he experienced on the field: “It was tough because the angel [in your head] says, ‘Patrice, don’t do anything because this is one of the biggest games in the world,’ but then you have that devil saying, ‘Punch him in the face.’ If you hit him, you’ll be the villain and set a bad example. So, you have to hold back. I was very proud of myself for not reacting.” This human and sincere revelation highlights the intense psychological pressure players face in situations of verbal abuse and racism.

Evra reinforced his position, clarifying that he never labeled Suárez as a racist, but acknowledged that the Uruguayan used “some racist words.” His respect for the opponent remained intact, as demonstrated by the gesture of shaking his hand in the Champions League final between Juventus and Barcelona, showing that the fight against racism is not a personal battle, but a larger cause.

In addition to his career filled with titles and glory, Patrice Evra revealed a lesser-known side of his life: overcoming deep personal traumas. Born in Dakar and raised in the suburbs of Paris, in a large family and with a childhood marked by difficulties, Evra did not hesitate to share the pain of being a victim of sexual abuse at the age of 13 by the director of his school, a secret he kept for years. This powerful testimony sheds light on the silence that still surrounds delicate issues in the world of football and society at large.

Today, Evra is dedicated to sports commentary and entrepreneurship, exploring new challenges such as mixed martial arts, which he practices with discipline and passion. “I didn’t do it to go viral,” he assured, highlighting the complexity and strategy of this sport: “People think it’s just violent, but it’s like a game of chess.”

This interview, conducted in Phoenix, Arizona, during a Pro Athlete Community conference, makes it clear that Patrice Evra is much more than a former footballer. He is an active voice in the fight against racism, an example of resilience, and a multifaceted personality who continues to inspire both on and off the field. His message is clear: racism cannot be ignored, victims must be heard, and injustices must be fought with courage and determination. Vinícius Júnior is not alone in this battle today – Patrice Evra stands by his side, ready to denounce all forms of discrimination in modern football.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.