Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé has alleged that Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni directed racial abuse at his teammate Vinicius Junior during a Champions League knockout play-off, causing a ten-minute suspension in the match.
The incident occurred immediately after Vinicius scored the solitary goal in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu. Following a clash with Prestianni, who pulled his shirt over his mouth while speaking, Vinicius refused to continue playing. Referee François Letexier halted the game to manage the situation.
Post-match, Mbappé provided a detailed account, stating he and other players heard the remarks. “The number 25 from Benfica – I don’t want to say his name, because he doesn’t deserve it,” Mbappé said. “He pulled up his shirt [to cover his mouth] and said ‘Vinícius is a monkey’ five times. I heard it, there are players from Benfica that heard it too.”
The alleged event adds to a recurring pattern of racism directed at Vinicius Junior, who has been the target of similar abuse in previous Spanish league fixtures and during international tournaments. UEFA has previously launched investigations into such incidents, emphasising its zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination.
Benfica has not issued an immediate official comment on the specific allegation. The Portuguese club’s players and staff left the pitch without speaking to media following the 1-0 defeat.
The match suspension underscores the protocols available to officials when racism is suspected. Under UEFA regulations, a referee can pause a game if a player reports discriminatory abuse, with the potential for the match to be abandoned if the behaviour persists.
This latest allegation will trigger a formal review by UEFA’s disciplinary body. The case highlights the ongoing challenge of racial abuse in European football and the heightened visibility of the issue due to Vinicius’s high profile and previous advocacy on the matter. The outcome of any investigation may influence future approaches to handling in-game discrimination and could lead to sanctions against the player or club if the claim is substantiated.
