Benfica midfielder addresses controversy over Vinicius Jr exchange
Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni has spoken out publicly for the first time regarding his controversial exchange with Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr during February’s Champions League play-off, maintaining that he directed a homophobic insult at the Brazilian rather than a racist one, reports BritPanorama.
Prestianni acknowledged the use of offensive language but defended his actions by asserting that such terms are commonplace in Argentina. “Yes, yes, I heard it, but for us Argentines it is a normal insult,” he told Mi Telefe.
The incident occurred during the first leg in Lisbon when the match was halted for around ten minutes following Vinicius Jr’s complaint to referee Francois Letexier. The Brazilian forward had just scored to give Madrid the lead when the confrontation took place, with video footage showing Prestianni covering his mouth with his shirt before the alleged exchange.
Vinicius Jr alleged that Prestianni called him a “monkey,” a claim supported by his teammate Kylian Mbappe, who was nearby during the incident. Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni later stated that Prestianni claimed he used a homophobic term instead of a racial slur.
In his interview, Prestianni elaborated on his perspective, describing the language as a tactic to unsettle opponents. “For us Argentines, it is like an insult and nothing more, like taking you out of the game,” he explained. He expressed gratitude towards Benfica’s management and coaching staff for allowing him to participate in the second leg despite the controversy.
Prestianni also noted interactions with his own teammates, stating that he plays alongside individuals of the same ethnicity as Vinicius Jr without issues arising. “Then they wanted to try to treat me as homophobic. It was to generate trouble for certain things that are not. For us Argentines, they are normal insults,” he added.
He took to X to challenge the narrative surrounding the incident, questioning why Real Madrid players did not react more forcefully if the accusation were genuine. “If they keep saying that SUPPOSEDLY I made a racist comment to Vinicius Junior, then why didn’t any of them react?” he wrote. “Accusing someone of something serious isn’t right, and even less so when it’s not true.”
The UEFA investigation into the matter is ongoing, with no outcome announced yet by European football’s governing body. As the dust settles, it raises questions about the complexities of language and culture on the pitch, a reminder that what is accepted in one context may not translate seamlessly into another.
