Vinícius Júnior Targeted by Racism in Champions League Match Against Benfica

Lisbon, Portugal – A Champions League match between Real Madrid and Benfica was marred by allegations of racism directed at Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The incident led to a nearly 10-minute stoppage in play as players, managers, and officials addressed the situation.

Incident Details

The incident occurred in the 52nd minute after Vinícius Júnior scored the only goal of the match. As he celebrated near the corner flag, Benfica fans reportedly threw bottles and other objects towards the Real Madrid players CNN. Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni then confronted Vinícius, allegedly making a racist remark while covering his mouth with his jersey. Vinícius immediately pointed to Prestianni and alerted the referee, François Letexier.

Accusations and Reactions

Vinícius Júnior accused Prestianni of using the term “mono” (monkey) The Guardian. The referee activated the anti-racism protocol, and play was suspended while discussions took place.

Following the match, Vinícius Júnior took to social media, stating, “Racists are above all cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to show how weak they are.” The Guardian.

Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius’ teammate, suggested Prestianni should be banned from the Champions League, while Trent Alexander-Arnold called the incident “a disgrace to football” CNN.

Conflicting Accounts

Prestianni denied the accusations, claiming he did not direct any racist insults towards Vinícius and that the Real Madrid player misunderstood what he heard CNN. Benfica players corroborated Prestianni’s account, stating he admitted to a provocation but denied using any racist language.

Benfica manager José Mourinho acknowledged the incident but also criticized Vinícius Júnior’s celebration near the Benfica fans, stating that a goal celebration should be respectful The Guardian. Mourinho also pointed out that Vinícius has been the target of racism in multiple stadiums, suggesting a broader issue within the sport.

Aftermath and Protocol

The game resumed after a 10-minute delay. Vinícius Júnior was jeered by the home crowd for the remainder of the match and was hit by a bottle near the sidelines in the final minutes CNN. The referee issued a warning to fans over the stadium’s loudspeakers to refrain from throwing objects.

Mourinho was shown a red card late in the match for complaining about the referee’s decisions regarding yellow cards The Guardian.

Continued Concerns

The Brazilian soccer confederation released a statement in support of Vinícius Júnior, condemning racism and praising his courage in reporting the incident CNN.