Vinícius Júnior Accuses Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of Racist Abuse During Champions League Match

The Champions League knockout play-off match between Benfica and Real Madrid was temporarily halted on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, after Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior reported alleged racist abuse from Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni. The incident occurred shortly after Vinícius Júnior scored the opening goal for Real Madrid.

Incident Details

After scoring in the 50th minute, Vinícius Júnior was confronted by Prestianni, who covered his mouth with his shirt before allegedly making a racist comment to the Real Madrid forward. Vinícius Júnior immediately alerted referee François Letexier, leading to a 10-minute suspension of play as FIFA’s anti-racism protocol was activated according to Sky Sports.

Prestianni’s Response

Following the match, Gianluca Prestianni took to Instagram to deny the allegations, stating he never directed racist insults towards Vinícius Júnior and that the Brazilian misinterpreted what he thought he heard. He similarly expressed regret for the threats received from Real Madrid players as reported by The New York Times.

Reactions and Further Incidents

Benfica released a statement in solidarity with Prestianni. Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold called the alleged abuse a “disgrace to football.” Kylian Mbappé stated that “something has to be done” and claimed to have heard Prestianni say “Vinicius is a monkey, five times” according to The New York Times.

The match resumed after discussions between players, coaches, and the referee, with Real Madrid ultimately winning 1-0. However, play was briefly delayed again late in stoppage time when fans threw objects at Vinícius Júnior while he was taking a corner kick. Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho was also sent off for a separate incident as reported by the BBC.

Mourinho’s Comments and Criticism

Mourinho suggested that Vinícius Júnior did not “celebrate in a respectful way” before the incident. This comment drew criticism from Clarence Seedorf, who stated that Mourinho “made a big mistake” by appearing to justify racial abuse according to the BBC.

Ongoing Concerns

This incident is the latest in a series of alleged racist incidents targeting Vinícius Júnior throughout his career, raising ongoing concerns about racism in football as reported by CNN.