Vinicius Junior Condemns Racism Claim After Benfica Incident In Champions League Clash In Lisbon

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Vinicius Junior says racist incidents have become routine after alleging abuse from a Benfica player during Real Madrid’s Champions League play-off win. The forward reported that Gianluca Prestianni racially abused Vinicius in Lisbon. Referee Francois Letexier then stopped the match and activated UEFA’s anti-racism protocol, overshadowing Real Madrid’s 1-0 first-leg victory at the Estadio da Luz.

The latest episode adds to a series of racist incidents involving Vinicius during Real Madrid fixtures. LaLiga games against Atletico Madrid and Valencia have previously seen Vinicius targeted from the stands. In Spain, a court case relating to abuse during Real Valladolid versus Real Madrid in September 2022 led to five people receiving suspended prison sentences last year.

On the pitch, Vinicius decided the first leg with a decisive goal, giving Real Madrid a 1-0 advantage before the return match at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. The goal came in a tight play-off contest in Lisbon. However, the celebration and its aftermath triggered a sequence of disciplinary and protocol decisions that shifted focus away from the result.

Shortly after scoring, Vinicius became involved in an interaction with Gianluca Prestianni. Vinicius then spoke directly to Francois Letexier, stating that racist abuse had occurred. Letexier paused the game in line with UEFA’s three-step procedure. Real Madrid later issued a statement confirming that Vinicius reported racist language from Prestianni to the referee during that exchange.

Vinicius later used Instagram to explain the experience and criticise how the situation was handled. The forward also questioned elements of the match officiating and the usefulness of existing protocols. Vinicius expressed frustration that incidents continue despite formal procedures, and that discussions after key Real Madrid matches still return to racism instead of football.

Vinicius has since taken to Instagram to address the incident, saying: Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts over 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. I received a yellow card for celebrating a goal. I still don't understand why. On the other hand, it was just a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose. I don't like to appear in situations like this, especially after a big win and when the headlines should be about Real Madrid, but it's necessary.

During the match, the stoppage lasted around 10 minutes while players and staff from both Real Madrid and Benfica confronted each other on the pitch. Vinicius briefly sat in the Real Madrid dugout while discussions continued. The situation highlighted tensions between both teams as officials tried to follow UEFA’s anti-racism guidelines amid protests and arguments.

Later, stoppage time brought further disorder. An object thrown from the stands struck Vinicius on the arm, adding another flashpoint to an already heated night for Real Madrid in Lisbon. The incident followed the earlier protocol stoppage and contributed to a hostile atmosphere during the final minutes of the Champions League play-off first leg.

The Benfica clash therefore sits within a longer pattern for Vinicius and Real Madrid, with racism emerging both from opposition players and sections of crowds. While Real Madrid prepare for the second leg at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, debate continues over how effectively football’s authorities respond when players like Vinicius report racist abuse.