A moment of brilliance should have defined the night in Lisbon.
Instead, it was a moment of confrontation.
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Wonder Goal Followed By Ugly Allegation
Source: Kickoff Magazine Online on X
When Vinicius Junior curled home a stunning second half strike to hand Real Madrid a 1-0 Champions League play-off first leg victory over Benfica, it looked like another big European night belonged to the Brazilian.
Five minutes after the restart, the 25-year-old silenced the Lisbon crowd with a goal worthy of any Champions League highlight reel. But his celebration in front of the home supporters triggered tension on the pitch.
Moments later, Vinicius approached referee Francois Letexier with a serious complaint. He alleged that Benfica’s Argentine midfielder Gianluca Prestianni had directed a racist slur at him, reportedly calling him “mono”, the Spanish word for monkey.
The match was halted for more than 10 minutes as anti-racism protocol was activated.
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“Racists Are Cowards”
After the game, Vinicius did not hold back.
“Racists are, above all, cowards,” he wrote. “They need to cover their mouth with their shirt to show how weak they are.”
Television footage appeared to show Prestianni covering his mouth during the exchange. No immediate disciplinary action was taken on the field once play resumed.
Vinicius added that what happened was nothing new in his life or his family’s life, highlighting a painful pattern that has followed him throughout his career in Spain.
Divided Reactions On The Pitch
Prestianni denied the accusation, saying the Brazilian had misunderstood him.
Benfica coach Jose Mourinho said his player rejected the claim and criticised Vinicius’ celebration, suggesting it had inflamed tensions inside the stadium. Mourinho himself was sent off late in the match while protesting that Vinicius should have received a second yellow card.
From the Real camp, the response was firm.
Kylian Mbappe said behaviour of that nature has no place in Europe’s elite competition and called for strong action if the allegation is proven. He revealed he had considered walking off the pitch but was persuaded to continue.
England full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold described the incident as disgusting and said it ruined what should have been a proud night for the team.
Captain Federico Valverde backed his teammate, saying players nearby heard something ugly and that covering one’s mouth during such an exchange suggested the words were not innocent.
Kylian Mbappe explains what he heard from Gianluca Prestianni to Vinicius Jr. pic.twitter.com/w3N1dzD3Yd
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 17, 2026
A Painful Pattern In Spain
This was not an isolated episode in Vinicius’ career.
Since 2022, numerous complaints have been filed over racist abuse directed at him in Spanish stadiums. In one high-profile case, four Atletico Madrid ultras received suspended jail sentences after hanging a dummy of the Brazilian from a bridge in what authorities deemed a hate crime.
He also clashed with fans at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium in 2023 following racist chants.
For many observers, the Lisbon incident feels like part of a wider crisis that European football still struggles to confront decisively. Protocols are triggered. Matches pause. Statements are issued. Yet players continue to face abuse.
Victory Tainted By Controversy
After the lengthy stoppage, Real regained focus and saw out the 1-0 win comfortably. The result gives them a slender advantage heading into the second leg.
But the bigger story now rests with UEFA and whether further action will follow.
In a competition that brands itself as the pinnacle of club football, the spotlight has shifted from a spectacular goal to serious questions about accountability.
For Vinicius, the message was clear. He wants the headlines to be about football.
Instead, once again, he finds himself fighting a battle far beyond the game.
Toda a minha solidariedade ao Vini Jr, mais uma vez alvo de racismo, desta vez na partida entre Real Madrid e Benfica.
O episódio que envolve o argentino Prestianni revela covardia total quando o jogador cobre a boca com a camisa para impedir a leitura labial. Ato que demonstra… pic.twitter.com/5yvSwFmVGv
— Paulo Pimenta (@Pimenta13Br) February 17, 2026
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