The Champions League finals match between Real Madrid and Benfica was suspended for 10 minutes after Vinicius Junior refused to play following comments made by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestiani.
Immediately after giving Real the lead, Vinicius Junior confronted Prestiani, pulled his shirt over his mouth and said something to the Madrid striker.
Vinicius Jr. ran and spoke to the match referee, François Letexier, who immediately stopped the match.
Following Vinicius Jr.’s complaints, the referee responded by crossing his arms in front of his face, invoking FIFA’s anti-racism protocols and suspending the match.
Vinicius Junior speaks to referee François Letexier after Benfica’s Gianluca Prestiani appeared to make a comment against him
Benfica manager Jose Mourinho was seen trying to console a visibly upset Vinicius Junior, and a member of Benfica’s coaching staff was shown a red card during the extended break.
After numerous discussions between players, coaches and referees, the match was restarted.
Real Madrid held on for a 1-0 win, with Mourinho also sent off for a separate incident, but there was a further delay late in second-half stoppage time when a fan threw an object at Vinicius Junior as he tried to take a corner kick.
“Racists are cowards above all else,” Vinicius Jr. posted on his Instagram Story after the game.
“They have to put their shirts over their mouths to show how weak they are.
“But they have on their side the protection of others that they are theoretically obligated to punish. What happened here today was not new in my life or in the lives of my family.
“I got a yellow card for celebrating a goal. I still don’t know why. On the other hand, it was a poor procedure that didn’t help anything. I don’t like appearing in situations like this, especially after a great victory and when the headlines should be about Real Madrid, but it’s necessary.”
Prestiani has not yet commented on the incident.
Benfica vs. Real Madrid postponed for 10 minutes due to incidents involving Vinicius Junior and Gianluca Prestiani
Vinicius Jr.’s teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold told Amazon Prime after the game: “I can’t comment too much because there’s probably an investigation going on.
“What happened tonight is a disgrace to football and it casts a shadow over our performance, especially after such a great goal.
“Vini has been exposed to this several times throughout his career. There is no place for it in football or in society. It’s disgusting.”
Benfica manager Mourinho also claimed in an interview with Amazon Prime that Vinicius Junior’s celebrations had incited the spectators and players, but said he wanted to be “independent” on the matter because Vinicius Junior and Prestianni “have told us different things”.
Mourinho said: “I said to him (Vinicius Junior): When you score a goal like that, you just have to celebrate and go home.When he was discussing racism, I told him that the greatest person in the history of this club (Eusebio) is black.”
“This club is racist.”
Referee François Letexier folds his arms and activates anti-racism protocol, suspending the match.
“You have to ask the Benfica players (about it),” Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa told Amazon Prime.
“Everyone knows what happened to Prestiani, he put his shirt over his mouth, you have to ask him.
“What Vini said doesn’t matter. We need to fight racism in football. Of course we support Vini.”
Regarding the objects thrown at Vinicius Jr., Alexander-Arnold said: “It’s a hostile environment. Maybe they got angry with the way Vinicius celebrated. I don’t know what made them like that. Like I said, it’s a hostile environment. We’re used to it as a team. We win, we go home and we play again.”
Vinicius Jr. has previously spoken out about the repeated racist abuse he has suffered, saying in 2024 that he felt “even less willing to play football” as a result of the abuse. In the same year, three Valencia fans were sentenced to eight months in prison for racial abuse during a match in May 2023.
Meanwhile, in Spain, in an “unprecedented” ruling in 2025, five people were sentenced to suspended prison terms for racial abuse against Vinicius. The incident occurred during a match between Real Madrid and Real Valladolid in September 2022.
“Shocking, embarrassing and upsetting.”
Daily Mirror football journalist John Cross tells Backpage tonight:
“This is truly shocking, shameful and completely upsetting. I can’t believe that in 2026 the world of football hasn’t addressed this issue. Imagine if you were Vinicius Junior, a genius who had just scored an incredible goal.
“This should shine a light on the football world and shame the football world. Strong action must be taken against the perpetrators. In a World Cup year, we must send a strong message.”
