Champions League Play-Off Marred by Alleged Racism as Vinicius Jr. Scores for Real Madrid
Real Madrid defeated Benfica 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League knockout play-off, but the match was overshadowed by allegations of racist abuse directed at Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. The incident led to a 10-minute stoppage in play and sparked outrage from players, and officials.
Incident During Match
Vinicius Jr. Scored the opening goal for Real Madrid in the 50th minute. Following the goal, Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni allegedly made a racist comment towards Vinicius Jr. And pulled his shirt over his mouth. Marca reports that Vinicius Jr. Immediately approached referee Francois Letexier to report the abuse, prompting the referee to activate UEFA’s anti-racism protocol by crossing his arms in an “X” shape.
Referee Action and Match Delay
The implementation of the anti-racism protocol temporarily halted the match. The Athletic detailed discussions between players, coaches, and the referee before play resumed. Objects were also thrown onto the pitch by fans as Vinicius Jr. Prepared to take a corner kick later in the game, leading to a further brief delay.
Reactions and Statements
Following the match, Vinicius Jr. Took to Instagram to express his frustration, stating, “Racists are, above all, cowards.” He also criticized the protocol as “poorly executed” and ineffective. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Vinicius Jr.’s teammate, called the incident “a disgrace to football” and emphasized that there is “no place for it in football or society.” The Athletic reported these comments.
Benfica coach Jose Mourinho attempted to console Vinicius Jr. And acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations, while also suggesting Vinicius Jr.’s celebration may have incited the crowd. However, he affirmed that Benfica is “the last thing that it is, racist.” Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa called for an investigation into Prestianni’s actions.
Previous Incidents and Broader Context
This incident is not isolated. Vinicius Jr. Has been the target of racist abuse on multiple occasions. In 2024, he stated he was “less and less” inclined to play football due to the ongoing abuse. The Athletic notes that three Valencia fans were sentenced to eight months in prison in 2024 for racially abusing him, and five people received suspended prison sentences in 2025 for a similar incident.
Match Details
The final score was Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid, with Vinicius Jr. Scoring the decisive goal. Facebook confirmed the goal. Jose Mourinho was also sent off during the match for dissent. The teams will meet again for the second leg of the play-off.