Actual Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe with Benfica coach Jose Mourinho because the UEFA Champions League match was stopped as a consequence of racist chants at Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal, February 17, 2026. — ReutersÂ
Actual Madrid ahead Kylian Mbappe stated Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni ought to be banned from the Champions League after the Argentine was accused of directing a racist slur at Vinicius Jr in the course of the Spanish aspect’s 1-0 playoff first-leg win on Tuesday.
Denying the accusation, Prestianni stated the Brazilian misheard him.
The incident occurred shortly after Vinicius had curled Actual into the lead 5 minutes into the second half in Lisbon.
Tv footage confirmed the Argentine winger overlaying his mouth together with his shirt earlier than making a remark that Vinicius and close by teammates interpreted as a racial slur in opposition to the 25-year-old, with referee Francois Letexier halting the match for 11 minutes after activating FIFA’s anti-racism protocols.
The footage appeared to indicate an outraged Mbappe calling Prestianni “a bloody racist” to his face.
The environment grew hostile after play resumed, with Vinicius and Mbappe loudly booed by the house crowd each time they touched the ball. Regardless of the rising tensions, the gamers have been in a position to shut out the sport with out additional interruptions.
“I want to clarify that at no time did I direct racist insults to Vini Jr, who regrettably misunderstood what he thought he heard,” Prestianni wrote on his Instagram account.
“I was never racist with anyone and I regret the threats I received from Real Madrid players.”
Mbappe advised reporters he heard Prestianni direct the identical racist comment at Vinicius a number of instances, an allegation additionally levelled by Actual’s French midfielder Aurelien Tchouamen.
Mbappe stated he had been ready to depart the pitch however was persuaded by Vinicius to proceed taking part in.
“We cannot accept that there is a player in Europe’s top football competition who behaves like this. This guy (Prestianni) doesn’t deserve to play in the Champions League anymore,” Mbappe advised reporters.
“We have to set an example for all the children watching us at home. What happened today is the kind of thing we cannot accept because the world is watching us.
When asked whether Prestianni had apologised, Mbappe laughed.
“In fact not,” he said.
‘Racists are, above all, cowards’
Vinicius later posted a statement on social media voicing his frustration.
“Racists are, above all, cowards. They should cowl their mouth with their shirt to indicate how weak they’re. However they’ve the safety of others who, theoretically, have an obligation to punish them. Nothing that occurred as we speak is new in my life or my household’s life,” Vinicius wrote.
The Brazilian has confronted repeated racist abuse in Spain, with 18 authorized complaints filed in opposition to racist behaviour concentrating on Vinicius since 2022.
Actual Madrid and Benfica will meet once more for the second leg subsequent Wednesday on the Bernabeu.
