Former Chelsea winger Eden Hazard has said he would not be surprised if Vinicius Junior retires early due to the racist abuse he has faced while playing in Spain.
The Real Madrid forward has been targeted by discriminatory chants from opposing fans on multiple occasions since joining the club in 2018.
Hazard spent four seasons alongside Vinicius at Real Madrid before announcing his retirement from football in 2023, reports ESPN.
The former Belgium international admitted he feels sympathy for the Brazilian star, saying the constant abuse places a heavy mental burden on the player before every match.
The 25-year-old winger has repeatedly spoken out about racism in Spanish football and has become one of the most prominent voices campaigning for stronger action.
Hazard warns ongoing abuse could push Vinicius away from football
Hazard suggested the continued incidents and limited disciplinary consequences could eventually lead Vinicius to consider stepping away from the game earlier than expected.
The Brazilian has previously admitted the abuse sometimes affects his desire to play football, highlighting the emotional toll the situation has taken.
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Vinicius recently accused Gianluca Prestianni of racist abuse during a UEFA Champions League playoff match against Benfica in Lisbon.
The Argentine winger denied the accusation but was handed a provisional one-match suspension by UEFA.
Hazard praised Vinicius for remaining mentally strong despite the constant criticism and off-field attention surrounding him.
He added that many people forget how exceptional the Brazilian forward is on the pitch because discussions often focus on the abuse he receives rather than his football performances.
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