Dani Alves has started a social media storm against racism in football — simply by eating a banana.
Footballers and other celebrities from across the globe have tweeted, Facebooked and Instagramed their support after the Barcelona star picked up a banana thrown by a racist fan and ate it in a match against Villarreal on Sunday.
Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez from Liverpool
Stars including Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool, Mario Ballotelli from AC Milan, Sergio Aguero, Neymar, Hulk and several more posted pictures of themselves eating the yellow fruit.
Neymar, who plays for Barcelona, and his son
The hashtags #bananaselfies and #weareallmonkeys were soon trending across all social media platforms.
Mario Balotelli of AC Milan
Even politicians became involved, with the Italy Prime Minister Matteo Rezzi and Italy manager Cesare Pandrelli picture sharing a bite of a banana.
Sergio Aguero and Marta
Alves said after the incident that he had experienced racism for the whole of his 11 years of playing in Spain and the best response was to ‘laugh at these backward people’.
Hulk ropes in his whole family
Even he probably didn’t realise the impact his spur of the moment reaction could have.
Italian premier Matteo Renzi (left) and the Italian national team coach Cesare PrandelliItalian premier Matteo Renzi (left) and the Italian national team coach Cesare Prandelli (Picture: AP)
Watch a video of Alves eating the banana here:
