Christantus Uche of Getafe CF looks on during the La Liga EA Sports match between RC Celta de Vigo and Getafe CF at Estadio Abanca Balaidos in Vigo, Spain, on November 4, 2024. Photo by IMAGO
Nigerian midfielder Chrisantus Uche turned a challenging period into an inspiring moment after Getafe’s 1-1 draw against Barcelona, Soccernet.ng reports.
Despite the turmoil of enduring racial abuse in Spain, Uche won hearts by gifting his shirt to a young Getafe fan in the stands following their home clash against Barca.
The 21-year-old was instrumental in Getafe’s performance against the Catalan giants where he played a key role in securing a vital point to keep his team’s relegation fight alive. The draw puts Getafe just one point ahead of Espanyol, who sit on 19 points.
After the game, Uche’s thoughtful gesture stood in stark contrast to his earlier revelations of racism during his career in Spain.
Watch the video here:
Speaking with ESPN Africa, Uche described the abuse he has faced since arriving in the country, first in Spain’s lower divisions with Moralo and Ceuta, before joining Getafe this season.
“Both the fans, some of the fans, they will be hailing you ‘f—— black,’ you are a ‘black this this, that that.’ No it’s not good. It’s not good.” Uche said.
The allegations link up with an ongoing issue in Spanish football, where players such as Vinicius Junior, Nico Williams, and Mouctar Diakhaby have also reported racial abuse in recent years.
Yet, Uche’s claims have been met with dismissive responses, notably from Getafe’s assistant manager, Patri Moreno.
“Uche does not master the language well. Either he did not interpret the question correctly, or it was a mistake when answering,” he told Marca.
While the racism debate continues in Spain, Uche’s post-match actions have provided a positive moment for Getafe fans and himself as a player of the club.