Brazilian forward Vinícius Júnior scored in Real Madrid’s Champions League play-off first-leg win at Benfica, but the match was overshadowed by fresh allegations of racist abuse.
The game was halted for 10 minutes after Vinicius informed referee François Letexier that Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni had called him a “monkey”. Prestianni, 20, denies the allegation.
The incident marks the first time Vinicius has accused an opposing player of racism, though he has repeatedly been targeted by supporters since joining Real Madrid from Flamengo in 2018.
The 25-year-old has faced several high-profile incidents in Spain, including abuse from Atlético Madrid supporters in 2023 and confrontation with fans at Mestalla Stadium, home of Valencia CF. Courts have since convicted multiple fans for hate crimes linked to those cases.
Following Tuesday’s clash, Vinicius condemned racism on social media, calling perpetrators “cowards.” Teammate Kylian Mbappé said Prestianni should be barred from the competition.
Benfica coach José Mourinho suggested controversy tends to follow the Brazilian, though observers note his expressive playing style and frequent duels with defenders often draw heated reactions from opposing fans.
The latest episode has reignited debate over racism in European football and the protections afforded to players at the highest level of the game.
