Benfica Rejects Mbappé and Real Madrid Players’ Version on Prestianni-Vinícius Incident With Widely Criticized Video

Benfica has rejected the account given by Real Madrid players regarding the alleged racist insult by Gianluca Prestianni toward Brazilian Vinícius Jr. following the White team’s goal in the first leg of the Champions League playoff. The Portuguese club expressed its support for the Argentine player.

“As the images show, given the distance, Real Madrid players could not have heard what they claim to have heard.”

Hours earlier, the club had already shared a photo of Prestianni with the phrase “together, by your side”, showing support for the player.

After scoring a spectacular goal in the 49th minute, Vinícius reported to French referee François Letexier that he had received a racist insult from Prestianni, who had covered his mouth with his shirt. This triggered the UEFA anti-racism protocol and an eight-minute stoppage, causing high tension on the pitch and protests from players like Kylian Mbappé.

The referee made the arms-crossed gesture to signal the protocol while calming the situation as Vinícius and other teammates threatened to leave the field. There was no visual proof of the insult; only Vinícius pointing at Prestianni after the action.

“What I saw is very clear: number 25 said five times to Vini that you are a monkey. Everyone can have their opinion, but we are giving the facts and everyone must move in the same direction. This type of behavior is unacceptable. It’s wonderful to play in the Champions League, but giving this image is terrible for world football,” said Mbappé.

“I called him racist because I think so. You can see it on his face—he hid behind his shirt to cover his lips. This type of person is not a professional colleague. A player like that does not deserve to play in the Champions League. We hope UEFA takes action. This is a serious case.”

“Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to cover their mouths with their shirts to show how weak they are. They also have the protection of others who should punish them. Nothing that happened today is new in my life or my family’s life.”

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