Vinicius Junior addresses alleged racist abuse during Champions League match
Vinicius Junior has spoken out following alleged racist abuse during Real Madrid’s 1-0 Champions League victory over Benfica, reports BritPanorama.
The Brazilian winger scored a stunning goal in the 50th minute, securing the win for his team and prompting celebrations near the corner flag. Tensions escalated after Benfica’s Argentine winger, Gianluca Prestianni, approached Vinicius on the halfway line and reportedly made a remark while covering his mouth with his shirt.
In response to the racial abuse allegations, the French referee halted the match, implementing established protocols as Vinicius initially refused to continue playing. The interruption highlighted the ongoing issue of racism in football, particularly affecting the Brazilian star.
After the match, Vinicius took to Instagram to express his sentiments in Portuguese: “Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to demonstrate how weak they are. But, they have protection from others who, theoretically, have the obligation to punish. Nothing that happened today is new in my life and my family’s.” He added, “I received a yellow card for celebrating a goal. Still not understanding why. On the other side, just a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose.”
Prestianni has publicly denied the allegations, stating, “I want to clarify that at no time did I direct racist insults to Vini Jr, who regrettably misunderstood what he thought he heard. I was never racist with anyone and I regret the threats I received from Real Madrid players.” This incident has sparked a broader conversation within the football community, with notable reactions from figures such as Benfica’s manager, Jose Mourinho, who suggested that Vinicius had provoked the situation.
Mourinho commented on the incident to Amazon Prime, emphasizing the need for celebrations to be embraced without controversy, saying, “I told him, when you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back.” He also reflected on the recurring nature of abuse directed at Vinicius, indicating that it is a frequent occurrence that needs addressing.
The issue of racial abuse within football is not new. In November 2024, Vinicius highlighted the ongoing struggle against racism, stating, “I play in Spain, where I suffered a lot and still suffer.” Just months earlier, in June 2025, three Valencia fans were sentenced to jail time for racially abusing him during a LaLiga match, marking a notable decision in Spanish football’s battle against racism.
As this controversy unfolds, it raises vital questions about accountability and the measures necessary to combat discrimination effectively. Footballers and fans alike are calling for an environment where such abusive behavior is unequivocally condemned—a sentiment echoed by England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who described the incident as “a disgrace to football.” He noted, “Vini has been subject to this a few times throughout his career. To ruin a night like this for our team is disgusting.”
The ongoing dialogue surrounding Vinicius Junior’s experiences serves as a reminder of the broader challenges that football faces in addressing racism, a concern that continues to overshadow the beautiful game.
