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| Vinicius Jr alleges racist abuse during Real Madrid’s 1-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League. The match was briefly halted under FIFA protocol, while Mourinho’s comments sparked wider debate. |
Real Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Benfica in the first leg of their Champions League playoff at Estadio da Luz on Tuesday night was overshadowed by serious allegations of racism involving Vinicius Jr. The Brazilian forward claimed he was subjected to a racial insult during the second half of the match in Lisbon.
The incident occurred in the 55th minute, shortly after Vinicius scored a stunning curling goal to give Real Madrid the lead. What should have been a moment of celebration quickly turned into controversy.
What Happened on the Pitch
After scoring, Vinicius was shown a yellow card for what the referee considered excessive celebration — a decision the player reportedly disputes. Tensions escalated when Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni confronted him.
Television footage showed Prestianni covering his mouth with his shirt while speaking to Vinicius. Real Madrid players, including Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni, alleged that a racist remark had been directed at their teammate.
Referee Francois Letexier activated FIFA’s anti-racism protocol, stopping the game for approximately 10 minutes. Real Madrid temporarily left the pitch before returning to complete the match.
Mourinho Faces Criticism
Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho, who previously managed Real Madrid, became part of the controversy after his post-match comments. He stated that he had heard different versions of the exchange from Vinicius and Prestianni and preferred to remain neutral.
However, Mourinho added that “something always happens” when Vinicius plays in a stadium, a remark that drew sharp criticism from former players and analysts. Critics argued that the comment appeared to shift attention away from the seriousness of racism allegations.
Clarence Seedorf described Mourinho’s remarks as a mistake, emphasizing that racial abuse should never be justified. Theo Walcott also suggested that Mourinho’s response was inappropriate given the sensitivity of the situation.
Prestianni Denies the Allegation
Gianluca Prestianni denied making any racist comment. In a statement shared on social media, he said Vinicius misunderstood what was said and insisted he has never directed racist insults at anyone.
He also claimed to have received threats following the accusations.
Vinicius Speaks Out
Vinicius later posted a message expressing frustration and disappointment. He stated that racism has unfortunately been a recurring issue in his career and personal life.
Since 2022, multiple legal complaints have been filed in Spain related to racist abuse directed at the Brazilian international, who is expected to play a key role for Brazil at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Strong Support From Teammates
Kylian Mbappe was visibly angry during the incident and reportedly confronted Prestianni on the field. After the match, Mbappe suggested that players who engage in racist behavior should not be allowed to compete in Europe’s top competitions.
Trent Alexander-Arnold described the situation as “a disgrace to football,” emphasizing that racism has no place in the sport or society.
Former Arsenal and Barcelona forward Thierry Henry said he could relate to Vinicius’ experience, noting that players often feel isolated in such moments when it becomes one person’s word against another’s.
Match Resumes Amid Hostile Atmosphere
After the delay, the match resumed, though tensions remained high. Vinicius and Mbappe were loudly booed by sections of the home crowd each time they touched the ball.
Despite the heated atmosphere, the game concluded without further interruption, with Real Madrid securing a narrow but crucial away win. The second leg will take place next week at the Santiago Bernabeu.
FAQ About the Vinicius Jr Racism Allegations
What triggered the controversy in the Benfica vs Real Madrid match?
The controversy began after Vinicius Jr claimed a Benfica player made a racist remark during an on-field exchange.
Who is accused of making the comment?
Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni is the player accused, though he denies the allegation.
Why is Jose Mourinho being criticized?
His post-match comments were interpreted by some as downplaying the seriousness of the racism claim.
Was the match stopped?
Yes. The referee halted the game for about 10 minutes under FIFA’s anti-racism protocol before play resumed.
Will there be an investigation?
Incidents of this nature are typically reviewed by UEFA, and further action may depend on official findings.