Racist chants directed at Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior were heard outside the Carlos Belmonte Stadium on Wednesday ahead of a Copa del Rey last-16 match against Segunda División side Albacete.

A group gathered near the stadium in the city of Albacete was filmed chanting abuse aimed at the 25-year-old Brazilian, who has repeatedly been the target of racist behaviour in Spain.

Albacete condemned the incident in a statement on social media, saying: “Enough of this racism. It is completely shameful. It does not represent the people of Albacete or the club.”

Despite the incident, Vinícius was included in Álvaro Arbeloa’s starting line-up for the cup tie. The match marked Arbeloa’s first game in charge of Real Madrid following the departure of Xabi Alonso.

In May 2025, five individuals were handed prison sentences in a landmark ruling that classified racist abuse in a football stadium as a hate crime. The case stemmed from insults directed at Vinícius during Real Madrid’s 2–0 win over Real Valladolid in 2022.

Since 2022, there have been 18 legal complaints related to racist abuse against Vinícius. Real Madrid did not immediately comment on Wednesday’s incident.

The Brazilian international has previously voiced frustration over what he considers insufficient action by football authorities in addressing racism.