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What everyone said about Vinicius Junior alleged racist abuse as Benfica release statement

Reach Daily Express | February 18, 2026 6:40 PM CST

Real Madrid's match against Benfica was suspended for 10 minutes after Vinicius Junior alleged that Gianluca Prestianni directed racist abuse towards him. This occurred immediately after the Brazilian scored the winning goal and was celebrating near the corner flag.
In response to the accusation, referee Francois Letexier officially activated the racism protocol by crossing his arms. This signal, introduced by FIFA in 2024, led to a temporary halt in play as tensions escalated between both sets of players.
Vinicius remained visibly distressed during the break, at one point refusing to play as he sat in the dugout. He eventually decided to continue after lengthy discussions with his team-mates and Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa.
Kylian Mbappe was particularly vocal, calling for Prestianni to be banned from the competition. He stated that "sporting matters ceased to be important."
Benfica manager Jose Mourinho defended his club's history, noting that legend Eusebio was black, while also criticising Vinicius' celebration. Mourinho suggested that Vinicius often faces these issues because of his provocative behavior on the pitch.
Prestianni issued a statement on social media firmly denying any racist intent. He claimed that the Real Madrid forward "misinterpreted" a typical on-pitch provocation and expressed regret over threats he received from the opposition players.
Benfica issued a statement backing Prestianni, saying: "Together, by your side." In another post with a video of the alleged incident, they said: "As the images demonstrate, given the distance, the Real Madrid players could not have heard what they claim to have heard."
Vinicius Junior later took to Instagram to label his alleged abusers as "cowards," specifically noting that they cover their mouths with their shirts to hide their weakness. He also lamented that the headlines were not about his team's important away victory.
England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold described the night as a total disgrace, stating that the abuse "takes the fun out of the game." He praised Vinicius for his mental resilience in continuing to play despite the hostile atmosphere in Lisbon.
Pundit Thierry Henry also condemned the scenes, emphasizing that the racist abuse must be eradicated. He joined a growing chorus of figures demanding that UEFA take definitive action following their investigation into the night's events.