Flamengo’s Danilo shares strong message on racism after row

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·21 de febrero de 2026

Flamengo’s Danilo shares strong message on racism after row

Danilo retrieved a 2023 video with his opinion on racism

Besides Flamengo's defeat to Lanús (ARG), the topic of racism in football dominated sports news this Friday (20), days after Vini Jr faced prejudiced attacks in Europe. Flamengo's defender, Danilo, spoke out on the subject, bringing back a video from an interview given in 2023.

— There is a difference between hearing and listening. White people need to listen. They need to have empathy to recognize that people have suffered. First, they need to listen and support these people. Then, they need to try to learn and not make judgments —, said Danilo.

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— According to Mario Sergio Cortella, whom I am a fan of, he always says that prejudice, whether racial, gender, or any other, is due to the absence of critical thinking. When a person commits an aggression, a racial prejudice, they lose the opportunity to learn. And this is very important. I always emphasize this point —, he added.

INDIRECT MESSAGE TO FILIPE LUÍS?

Danilo's post was interpreted by some fans as an indirect message to coach Filipe Luís. This is because, after the defeat to Lanús, the coach made a statement that sparked controversy about the racism case involving Vini Jr. on Tuesday (17), during the Champions League.

— It's a much more delicate topic than we think, a topic that involves many things. For me, it's simple, he (Prestianni) covered his mouth and shouldn't have covered his mouth to say what he should say, and this generates all this outrage and now it's one person's word against another's. This is very delicate and, if he said it, he has to pay. But I repeat, it's one person's word against another's and I'm not the one who can judge —, commented Filipe Luís before the game.

— About Vinicius Junior, I have always been treated very well, I love Argentina. I am very happy here, very well received. I only have good words for Argentina. An isolated case like this does not influence anything about what I think of this country, which is so beautiful —, the coach completed in a press conference after the match.

WHAT DID FILIPE LUÍS DO AFTER THE BACKLASH, AFTER ALL?

Filipe Luís received strong criticism for supposedly not supporting Vini Jr. So, the coach, through a note released by Flamengo, published a note defending himself against the accusations. Check out the full text below, released on the afternoon of this Friday (20).

“After yesterday's match against Lanús, during the press conference organized by Conmebol, minutes after the end of the game, I was questioned by an Argentine reporter. He began his reasoning by citing another case of racism suffered by Vinícius Júnior, when he asked me how Flamengo was received the last few times it was in the country. Throughout the response, I tried to address my personal experiences in Argentina. At no time did I intend to relativize or minimize any racist attitude. I recognize that my speech, given the extreme sensitivity of the topic, may have opened room for different interpretations. Therefore, I consider it essential to publicly reinforce my position, which has always been non-negotiable: racism is a crime in Brazil and should be treated with the same rigor in all countries. It is an unacceptable conduct that must be fought and punished firmly. Football, as a space of diversity and integration, cannot tolerate any form of discrimination. I also emphasize that, before the match, in an exclusive interview with the rights holder, I expressed my view on the episode, classifying the player's attitude of covering his mouth to commit racist acts as cowardly. I would never doubt the victim's word in such a serious case. Finally, I reiterate my full support to Vinícius Júnior in yet another regrettable episode involving racism in sports, something that should no longer occur but unfortunately still happens and often goes unpunished. Filipe Luís Coach of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo”.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.