Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior scored a stunning goal against Benfica on Tuesday, but the match was overshadowed by yet another incident of alleged racial abuse. The Champions League play-off first leg was temporarily halted for 10 minutes after Vinicius told referee Francois Letexier that Benfica’s Argentine midfielder Gianluca Prestianni had called him a “monkey.” Prestianni denies the allegation.
Vinicius, who joined Real Madrid in 2018 from Flamengo, has long been a focal point of racist abuse in football. He has endured high-profile incidents in Spain, including an effigy hung near Real Madrid’s training ground by Atletico fans in 2023, chants at Valencia’s Mestalla, and abuse by Real Valladolid and Albacete supporters, some of which led to criminal convictions.
“This first criminal conviction in the history of Spain is not for me. It’s for all black people,” Vinicius wrote after a 2024 ruling against Valencia fans.
Teammate Kylian Mbappe called for Prestianni to be excluded from the Champions League, describing the alleged act as intolerable.
Benfica coach Jose Mourinho noted the pattern of abuse, saying, “A stadium where Vinicius plays, soing happens, always,” though he emphasized that Vinicius’ provocative playing style and celebrations do not justify racism.
Vinicius’ expressive style, including animated appeals to referees and taunting of opposition fans, may draw attention, but the repeated racial targeting underscores a persistent problem in football culture. Following his goal against Benfica, he celebrated in front of home supporters by dancing with the corner flag, prompting objects to be thrown at him.
Mbappe encouraged the Brazilian star on social media: “Dance Vini, and please never stop. They will never tell us what we (can) do or not.”
Despite the ongoing abuse, Vinicius continues to speak out against racism, making him both a target and a symbol of resistance in the sport.
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