Benfica star defends himself against Vini Jr claims by saying he was homophobic, not racist

Martin Macdonald

• 21 Feb 2026 04:30 CST
• 4 min read

Nieuws

Gianluca Prestianni has sought to defend himself from accusations of racism during a Champions League match this week - by insisting he was homophobic, not racist.

On Tuesday, Real Madrid won 1-0 against Benfica in a Champions League playoff first-leg fixture at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.

Vinicius Junior scored the only goal of the match and, after celebrating, became involved in a face-to-face spat with Prestianni. The Brazilian subsequently claimed his opponent had used racist language while covering his face with his shirt.

There was a lengthy delay to the game as the referee attempted to sort things out. Play recommenced but the fallout has been felt across Europe.

Afterwards, Vini Jr posted on social media:

"Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to show how weak they are. But they have the protection of others who, theoretically, have an obligation to punish them. Nothing that happened today is new in my life or in my team's life. I received a yellow card for celebrating a goal. I still don't understand why. On the other hand, it was just a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose. I don't like to appear in situations like this, especially after a big win and when the headlines should be about Real Madrid, but it's necessary."

Prestianni posted a statement himself in response, saying:

"I want to clarify that at no time did I direct racist insults to Vini Jr, who regrettably misunderstood what he thought he heard. I was never racist with anyone and I regret the threats I received from Real Madrid players."

UEFA have started an investigation into the incident and, according to ESPN, the Argentine's defence is that he used a homophobic slur and not a racist one, both of which we won't repeat here.

Real Madrid have presented evidence to UEFA and Vini Jr's team-mate Kylian Mbappe claimed that he heard the racist slur being used five times.

"Our club has actively collaborated with the investigation opened by UEFA following the unacceptable episodes of racism experienced during that match," the Spanish giants said in a statement on Thursday.

Prestianni may be more content with homophobic language than racist language but that will lead to similar punishment, according to official UEFA regulations.

"Any entity or person subject to these regulations who insults the human dignity of a person or group of persons on whatever grounds, including skin colour, race, religion, ethnic origin, gender or sexual orientation, incurs a suspension lasting at least 10 matches or a specified period of time, or any other appropriate sanction," the regulations say.

🚨 Vincent Kompany on Vinicius Jr, the racist episode and José Mourinho. ⤵️@iMiaSanMia 🎥 pic.twitter.com/ZIERWKCeN6

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 20, 2026

Mourinho causes controversy

Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho caused controversy after the match by suggesting that Vinicius Junior had provoked his players and the home fans after celebrating his wonder goal too much.

"I told him when you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back. When he was arguing about racism, I told him the biggest person [Eusebio] in the history of this club was black," he said post-match.

"This club, the last thing that it is, is racist. If in his mind there was something in relation to that – this in Benfica. They [Vinicius and Gianluca Prestianni] told me different things. But I don't believe in one or another. I want to be an independent.

"These talents are able to do these beautiful things, but unfortunately he [Vinicius Junior] was not just happy to score that astonishing goal. When you score a goal like that, you celebrate in a respectful way."

Mourinho, infamously, ran down the touchline in front of the Old Trafford supporters after Porto knocked Manchester United out of the Champions League in 2003.