Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr broke down in tears and said he was struggling to stay motivated and enjoy playing football due to the recurring racist abuse he is subjected to in Spain.

During an emotional press conference ahead of Brazil’s friendly international against Spain on Tuesday, the Real Madrid winger said he is frustrated as fans keep getting away with hurling racist abuse towards him.

Last season there were 10 such episodes against the 23-year-old reported to prosecutors by LaLiga.

“I just want to play football but it’s hard to move forward... I feel less and less like playing (due to the racist abuse),” Vinicius told a press conference on Monday, at times struggling to speak through tears.

“It never crossed my mind (to leave Spain) because if I leave Spain I give the racists exactly what they want.

“I will stay because that way the racists can continue to see my face more and more. I’m a bold player, I play for Real Madrid and we win a lot of titles and that doesn’t sit well with a lot of people.”

Last May, Real Madrid’s La Liga game at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium was halted for 10 minutes after Vinicius was abused by sections of the crowd. Vinicius pointed out the fans who were abusing him, before he was involved in an altercation with Valencia players that led to him being sent off.

“It’s getting sadder and sadder. Everything I’ve been going through with every game, every day, every complaint... The lack of punishments is very frustrating. If we start punishing these people, not that they’ll change their thinking, but they’ll be afraid to speak out”.