Benfica vs Real Madrid: the Vinícius racism row that stopped the game — what happened, who said what, and what comes next
Real Madrid’s 1–0 win at Benfica in Lisbon was overshadowed by a major controversy involving Vinícius Júnior and Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni, after which the referee halted the match and triggered football’s anti-racism protocol.
The moment that sparked everything
Early in the second half, Vinícius scored the only goal of the night — a high-quality strike that put Real Madrid 1–0 up. Seconds later, he celebrated near the corner flag in front of Benfica supporters and was booked for the celebration.
Right after that celebration, TV cameras captured a confrontation with Prestianni. Prestianni appeared to cover his mouth with his shirt while speaking — and Vinícius immediately reacted, pointing toward him and going straight to the referee to report what he believed was a racist insult.
Why the match was stopped (and what the referee did)
French referee François Letexier stopped the game for roughly 10–11 minutes after Vinícius’ complaint and activated the anti-racism procedure, with both teams and staff gathered in discussions on the pitch and by the touchline.
Reports from multiple outlets describe Real Madrid players considering walking off during the stoppage, before play eventually resumed.
What Vinícius said (his post-match message)
After the match, Vinícius addressed the incident publicly on social media. His central message was that this is a repeated pattern in his career, calling racists “cowards” and criticising how often protocols don’t lead to meaningful consequences.
He also questioned the effectiveness of the current process, implying that stopping the match is not enough if there is no strong follow-up action.
The accusation: what Real Madrid players claim they heard
The key word reported across major coverage is “mono” (Spanish for “monkey”). Reuters and the Guardian both report that the allegation centred on that term, with Real Madrid players backing Vinícius’ account.
Kylian Mbappé was especially direct: he said he heard the slur and called for strong punishment, including pushing for a ban (at least from the competition) as a statement to younger fans watching.
Other Real Madrid figures publicly supported Vinícius as well — including coach Álvaro Arbeloa and captain Federico Valverde — with Arbeloa indicating the squad was prepared to leave the pitch in solidarity.
Prestianni’s denial
Prestianni denied making a racist insult, saying Vinícius misunderstood what was said. Coverage also notes he referenced receiving threats after the incident became public.
Benfica’s response: defending their player and pushing back
Benfica’s position, as reported today, has been to reject the version presented by Real Madrid players and to defend Prestianni — disputing claims that “multiple players” heard racist abuse, and publicly challenging the narrative around what happened.
Some reports also describe Benfica amplifying video of the incident via official channels as part of their defence of the player.
Mourinho’s comments (and the wider chaos)
Benfica coach José Mourinho did not fully endorse either side’s version in his immediate comments. He criticised how the post-goal moment escalated and suggested the celebration contributed to the confrontation, while also stressing the seriousness of racism allegations and the difficulty of judging instantly in the heat of the moment.
Separate from the racism stoppage, Reuters also reports Mourinho was later sent off for protesting a decision late in the match — adding to a night that became increasingly combustible.
What UEFA is doing now
UEFA has confirmed it is reviewing the incident based on the official match reports. Next steps typically depend on referee reports, delegate reports, and any disciplinary investigation UEFA opens (including requests for evidence or statements).
The football context: what the result means
On the pitch, Real Madrid carry a 1–0 advantage back to the Santiago Bernabéu for the return leg. The first match was tight, with goalkeepers in focus and Benfica having strong spells — but the story of the night became the stoppage and the fallout, not the tactics.
Published by Patrick Jane
18.02.2026