Benfica’s Prestianni denies racist insult from Real Madrid’s Vinicius in Champions League match

Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni has denied making a racially offensive comment against Real Madrid striker Vinicius Junior.

“I have not been racist towards anyone and I regret the threats I have received from Real Madrid players,” the 20-year-old Argentine forward said on X.

The Champions League play-off match at the Stadium of Light in Benfica was halted for almost ten minutes on Tuesday after the referee initiated the anti-racism protocol.

Benfica showed support for Prestianni on Wednesday, with the Portuguese club claiming Madrid players who said they heard the insult were too far away.

Benfica fans had reacted angrily when Vinicius celebrated his goal in the 50th minute by dancing near the corner flag and throwing bottles and other objects at Madrid players. Prestianni then confronted Vinicius and said something while covering his mouth with his sweater.

Vinicius said Prestianni had racially abused him during the match, which Madrid won 1-0. Madrid will host the second leg on February 25, with the overall winner advancing to the round of 16 of European club football’s top competition.

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Madrid’s players said they considered leaving the field but ultimately decided to continue playing.

Benfica posted a video on X.

«As the footage shows, given the distance, the Real Madrid players could not have heard what they were saying,» Benfica said.

The club had already posted Prestianni’s statement, along with the words: “Together, by your side.”

Prestianni insisted Vinicius misunderstood what was said, while Benfica players reportedly said after the match that the Argentine provoked the Brazil forward but never racially abused him.

“I would like to make it clear that at no time did I direct racist insults against player Vinicius Junior, who unfortunately misinterpreted what he thought he had heard,” Prestianni said.

He didn’t say why he covered his mouth.

The referee seemed to show that he heard nothing and gestured that Prestianni had the shirt in front of his mouth. Vinicius, who is black and has been repeatedly subjected to racist abuse in Spain, went to the sideline and sat in the dugout as play was stopped.

Prestianni did not receive a yellow card and continued to play. He was substituted in the 81st and received applause from Benfica fans.

Kylian Mbappé was among the Madrid players who strongly defended Vinicius, posting on X: «Dance, Vini, and please never stop. They will never tell us what to do or not to do.»

Mbappe also said Prestianni should never play in the Champions League again.

UEFA said in a statement that “the official reports of last night’s matches are under review.”

Cameras recorded Vinicius telling French referee François Letexier that Prestianni called him a ‘monkey’.

Benfica coach José Mourinho criticized Vinicius for celebrating at the Benfica flag. He spoke to both players and said he didn’t want to imply he believed one over the other.

Mourinho said he told Vinicius that the greatest player in Benfica’s history – Eusébio – was also black, but he seemed to wonder why the Madrid player was so often the target of racist abuse.

Vinicius received a yellow card on Tuesday after celebrating the goal.

Some online videos on Wednesday appeared to show some Benfica fans making monkey gestures from the stands.

Published on February 18, 2026