Vinicius Jr sends message of support to Benjamin Mendy after not guilty verdict in rape trial

Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior has sent a message of support to Benjamin Mendy on the back of the Frenchman’s trial.

The Brazilian wrote on Twitter: “I'm sorry for everything you’ve been through, Benjamin Mendy.

“You lost two years of your career, but that's the least of this whole situation… What about the psychological damage? Surely your life will never be the same. The culture of destroying reputations has made yet another victim.

“Until when will we be accused and condemned without having the right to basic defense? Fake news are created and spread without checking any facts (which is something I personally felt a lot on this holidays) and then the situation only gets worse.”

Vinicius continued: “Being responsible would be the minimum for any professional, but nowadays serious work has become an exception. There’s no limits to get more clicks and engagement.

“My question is what will be done to repair the damage?”

The head of serious and general crime at Hickman & Rose, Jenny Wiltshire said after the trial: “Benjamin Mendy would like to thank the members of the jury for focussing on the evidence in this trial, rather than on the rumour and innuendo that have followed this case from the outset.

“This is the second time that Mr Mendy has been tried and found not guilty by a jury. He is delighted that both juries reached the correct verdicts.”

Mendy is currently without a club after he was released by Manchester City last month upon the expiration of his contract.

During his time at the Etihad club, he won three Premier League titles and two EFL Cups.