Vinicius hits out at Benfica during Real Madrid win in Champions League

Senior Reporter: Vinicius Junior Responds To Benfica Racial Abuse Allegation

Real Madrid striker Vinicius Junior hit back at accusations of racial abuse from rival side Benfica in a Champions League first leg match in Lisbon. The incident, which occurred shortly after the Brazilian’s heroics, sparked controversy and led to a long pause in play.

The 25-year-old Brazil international revealed on Instagram that he complained to French referee Francois Letexier about the alleged racial slur during an altercation with Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni. The game was halted for over ten minutes as France’s protocol was activated due to these disturbing allegations.

“Racists are, above all, cowards,” Vinicius wrote in his Instagram post. “They need to put their shirts over their mouths to show how weak they are.” However, the Brazilian lamented that Benfica did not face consequences for Prestianni’s alleged misconduct during the game, citing a lack of action under the protocol.

“Nothing that happened today should be tolerated in my life or my family’s,” Vinicius emphasized. “I don’t like to speak out in situations like this, especially after a big victory when the headlines should be about Real Madrid.”

Vinicius’ celebration following his goal against Benfica led to a confrontation with Prestianni, prompting him to inform Letexier that he had been called “mono,” referring to Spanish for monkey. This enraged some Benfica players and fans, who pelted Real players with projectiles as they celebrated the goal.

Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold described the incident as “disgusting,” while Kylian Mbappé, France’s captain, demanded that Prestianni be banned from European competition. “This guy doesn’t deserve to play in the Champions League again,” he asserted.

Federico Valverde, Real Madrid’s captain, expressed pride for how Vinicius handled the situation: “I don’t know what he said,” Valverde began, “but all the team-mates who were close by heard him say something ugly. He covered his mouth when saying it.”

Valverde added, “In the end I’m proud of the team-mates that defended Vini and proud of Vini who kept on going, played a spectacular game and that’s what I’ll remember from him.”

Vinicius has faced racial abuse multiple times throughout his career in Spain. A recent incident saw four Atletico Madrid ultras receive suspended jail sentences for hanging a dummy of Vinicius from a bridge, deemed a hate crime by police, alongside several other convictions.

In May 2023, Vinicius had an altercation with Valencia fans who racially abused him at the Mestalla stadium. “It’s been happening for a long time,” Valverde observed, emphasizing that many people have fought against such abuse and that Vinicius is one of them fighting it.

The match between Real Madrid and Benfica continued after the pause triggered by Letexier’s application of the racism protocol, with Real comfortably prevailing in their victory.