Real Madrid secured a narrow 1-0 victory in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League knockout play-off against Benfica on 17 February 2026, but the match was overshadowed by serious allegations of racist abuse directed at Vinícius Júnior.
Key Points
- Vinícius Júnior scored a stunning goal in the 50th minute to give Real Madrid the lead, but the game was paused for about 10-11 minutes after he reported alleged racist abuse from Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni.
- Referee François Letexier activated FIFA’s anti-racism protocol with the crossed-arms gesture, leading players to briefly leave the pitch; UEFA has since launched an official investigation.
- Vinícius condemned racists as “cowards” in a post-match statement, while Prestianni and Benfica strongly denied the claims, calling them a misunderstanding or defamation campaign.
- The incident reignites debate on persistent racism in football, with strong support for Vinícius from teammates and the Brazilian Football Confederation, contrasted by criticism of Benfica’s and José Mourinho’s responses.
Incident Summary The drama unfolded at Estádio da Luz shortly after Vinícius curled in a brilliant winner. Celebration drew objects from the crowd and a yellow card, followed by a heated exchange with Prestianni, who covered his mouth while speaking. Vinícius alerted the referee to alleged racial slurs (reportedly including “mono”), prompting the protocol activation and temporary suspension. Play resumed, and Real Madrid held firm despite further crowd incidents.
Reactions and Ongoing Probe Vinícius used social media to highlight recurring abuse and question the protocol’s effectiveness. Prestianni denied racism, suggesting mishearing amid noise. UEFA appointed an ethics inspector to examine evidence, with potential sanctions if proven.
Vinícius Júnior Allegation of Racism Overshadows Real Madrid’s Champions League Win at Benfica
The UEFA Champions League knockout play-off first leg between Benfica and Real Madrid on 17 February 2026 produced a moment of footballing brilliance from Vinícius Júnior — followed by yet another painful episode in the Brazilian’s long battle against racist abuse in the sport.
Vinícius, 25, received the ball in the 50th minute, drifted past a defender, and bent a precise right-footed shot into the top corner to put Real Madrid 1-0 ahead at Estádio da Luz. What should have been pure celebration quickly soured. As he danced near the corner flag, objects were thrown from home sections, prompting referee François Letexier to show a yellow card for excessive celebration.
Tension escalated on the halfway line during an interaction with Benfica’s 20-year-old Argentinian forward Gianluca Prestianni. Footage showed Prestianni lifting his shirt over his mouth — a common tactic to obscure lip-reading — while addressing Vinícius. The Real Madrid star reacted sharply, pointing at Prestianni and sprinting to Letexier to report that he had been racially abused, with sources indicating the word “mono” (monkey) was allegedly used.
Without hesitation, Letexier crossed his arms above his head — the FIFA “No Racism” signal introduced in May 2024 — and halted proceedings. Real Madrid players showed immediate solidarity, following Vinícius off the pitch. The stoppage lasted approximately 10-11 minutes as staff, including Benfica manager José Mourinho, discussed the situation. UEFA’s three-step anti-racism procedure (public announcement, temporary removal of players, possible abandonment) was partially followed, and calm allowed resumption around the 60th minute.
Real Madrid defended their advantage through normal time and 12 added minutes — during which another object struck Vinícius on the arm — to claim a 1-0 win and a slight edge for the return leg.
Post-match, Vinícius addressed the crowd via Instagram in measured yet powerful terms. “Racists are, above all, cowards,” he wrote. “They need to put their shirts in their mouths to show how weak they are. But they have the protection of others who, theoretically, have an obligation to punish them. Nothing that happened today is new in my life or in my team’s life.” He questioned his booking for celebration and described the protocol execution as poorly handled and ultimately ineffective.
The Brazilian Football Confederation issued unequivocal support, labeling racism a crime and praising Vinícius’s courage in activating the protocol as an “example of courage and dignity.” Real Madrid teammates rallied behind him: Kylian Mbappé stated he clearly heard the alleged insult (reportedly repeated multiple times) and demanded Prestianni face consequences, including exclusion from Champions League matches. Other players, including Trent Alexander-Arnold and Aurélien Tchouaméni, expressed solidarity, while coach Álvaro Arbeloa affirmed full backing for Vinícius.
Benfica and Prestianni rejected the accusations firmly. Prestianni posted on social media that he “never directed racist insults” toward Vinícius and believed the Brazilian “misunderstood what he thought he heard” amid stadium noise and distance. Benfica backed their player publicly, posting his statement with supportive captions and accusing opponents of launching a “defamation campaign.” Forward Vangelis Pavlidis suggested friction arose from Brazil-Argentina rivalry rather than racism. José Mourinho’s comments — including references to Benfica’s history and figures like Eusébio — drew sharp criticism from anti-racism groups like Kick It Out, who accused him of downplaying or justifying the seriousness of the allegation.
UEFA responded swiftly on 18 February 2026, appointing an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector to probe “allegations of discriminatory behaviour” during the fixture. The investigation will review referee reports, video footage, player statements, and available audio. Under UEFA rules, Prestianni could face a ban of up to 10 matches or longer if found guilty, though he remains likely available for the second leg pending conclusions.
This Benfica episode adds to a troubling timeline of abuse targeting Vinícius since his arrival in European football. Key documented incidents include:
| Date | Incident Description | Key Outcome / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Sep 2022 | Racist chants by Atletico Madrid fans outside stadium before La Liga derby | Club condemned “minority” behavior |
| 26 Jan 2023 | Effigy hung near Real Madrid training ground | Four men fined €60,000 and banned two years |
| 21 May 2023 | Racist abuse at Valencia; Vinícius sent off after altercation | Reported as hate crime; three fans later imprisoned |
| 10 Jun 2024 | Three Valencia fans sentenced for 2023 abuse | Prison terms handed down |
| 29 Nov 2024 | Minor banned one year for Rayo Vallecano abuse | Club sanction |
| 21 May 2025 | Five given suspended sentences for 2022 Valladolid incident | First prison convictions for stadium racism in Spain |
| 17 Feb 2026 | Alleged abuse by Prestianni in Champions League play-off | Match halted; UEFA investigation ongoing |
These cases show incremental progress through legal precedents in Spain, yet the repetition underscores slow cultural change.
The Lisbon events sparked global reaction, with anti-discrimination organizations urging stricter club sanctions, point deductions, or closures alongside protocols. Vinícius’s persistence in confronting abuse inspires many, but the pattern highlights that awareness must translate into decisive enforcement. As UEFA’s probe continues and the return leg nears, football faces another critical test in eradicating racism from the game.
