Introduction
The football world was rocked by a major controversy on 17 February 2026, when Argentine winger Gianluca Prestianni of Portuguese club Benfica was accused of making racist comments toward Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior during their UEFA Champions League clash in Lisbon. The incident quickly sparked intense debate across social media, sports sites, and fan discussions, with repercussions still unfolding.
What Happened During the Match?
The controversial moment occurred shortly after Vinícius Jr scored the only goal of the match against Benfica. As emotions ran high, Prestianni and Vinícius became involved in a heated exchange on the pitch. Cameras captured Prestianni covering his mouth with his shirt while speaking to Vinícius, prompting the Brazilian forward to alert the referee and trigger UEFA’s anti-racism protocol. The match was temporarily halted for around 10 minutes under the official tournament rules.
Real Madrid’s star claimed that Prestianni used a derogatory racial slur, reportedly calling him a “monkey,” a term with strongly offensive racial connotations. Teammates including Kylian Mbappé later voiced outrage, with the French forward saying Prestianni “should never play in the Champions League again.”
Prestianni’s Instagram Statement: What Did He Say?
In response to the allegations, Gianluca Prestianni took to Instagram to defend himself. His official message stressed that he did not use racist language, and that Vinícius had misunderstood what was said:
“I want to clarify that at no time did I direct racist insults toward Vinícius Júnior. What he heard was regrettably misinterpreted. I have never been racist toward anyone, and I regret the threats I have received from Real Madrid players.”
Prestianni repeated this denial on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), further arguing that covering his mouth is common in football and claiming that distance between the players made it impossible for Real Madrid to accurately hear what he said.
Reactions from Players, Clubs, and the Football Community
The incident sparked a wide range of reactions:
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Vinícius Jr responded on Instagram with a powerful statement condemning racism, calling racists “cowards” for covering their mouths and demanding accountability.
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Real Madrid teammates, including Trent Alexander-Arnold, backed Vinícius, calling the incident a “disgrace to football.”
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Benfica fully supported Prestianni, releasing footage and statements defending the player and accusing critics of a “defamation campaign.”
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Jose Mourinho, Benfica’s head coach, tried to downplay the controversy by pointing to Vinícius’ goal celebration, insisting his club is not racist.
UEFA Investigation and Possible Consequences
In response to the incident, UEFA has officially launched an investigation into the alleged racist exchange. If Prestianni is found guilty under UEFA’s anti-racism regulations, he could face a significant ban, potentially 10 matches or more, especially if the evidence confirms discriminatory conduct.
Football governing bodies have stated that racism has no place in the sport, and incidents of this nature are treated with the highest seriousness.
Why This Matters: Racism in Football
This episode reignites broader discussions about racism in global football, particularly when high-profile players like Vinícius Jr are involved. Incidents like this continue to highlight the ongoing struggle to eradicate racist behavior in the sport — not just from fans, but within the game itself. Whether Prestianni’s actions were racist or misunderstood, the match has shone a spotlight on how seriously racism allegations are now handled at top levels of competition.
Conclusion
The Gianluca Prestianni racism controversy is one of the most talked-about stories in football this season. With social media reactions, official investigations, club statements, and passionate public opinion, the incident remains a developing story. What is clear is that both Vinícius Jr’s allegations and Prestianni’s denial on Instagram have kept this controversy at the forefront of football news — and it may be weeks before UEFA’s investigation yields definitive conclusions.
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