Real Madrid’s Champions League knockout play-off tie at Benfica was stopped for 10 minutes after Vinicius Jr initially refused to play on following a comment made towards him by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni.
Vinicius Jr. had just given Real the lead when he was confronted by Prestianni, who pulled his shirt up over his mouth before speaking to the Madrid striker.
Vinicius Jr ran to speak to match referee Francois Letexier, who immediately stopped play.
After Vinicius Jr’s complaint, the referee responded by crossing his arms in front of his face, activating FIFA’s anti-racism protocol and temporarily stopping the match.
Benfica coach Jose Mourinho was seen trying to console a visibly upset Vinicius Jr and a member of Benfica’s coaching staff was shown a red card during the long stoppage.
After a series of discussions between players, coaches and the referee, play resumed.
Real Madrid held on to win 1-0, with Mourinho also sent off for a separate incident, but there was a further brief delay late in stoppage time when fans threw objects as Vinicius Jr. tried to take a corner kick.
“Racists are above all cowards,” Vinicius Jr wrote on his Instagram story after the match.
“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 who theoretically have a duty to punish. Nothing that happened here today was new in my life and that of my family.
“I got a yellow card for celebrating a goal. I still don’t understand why. On the other hand, just a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose. I don’t like to appear in situations like this, even more so after a big win and when the headlines have to be about Real Madrid, but it’s necessary.”
Prestianni has not yet commented on the incident.
Benfica vs Real Madrid was delayed for 10 minutes following an incident involving Vinicius Jr. and Gianluca Prestianni
That was what Vinicius Jr’s teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold said Amazon Prime after the match: “I can’t comment too much as there is probably an ongoing investigation.
“What happened tonight is a disgrace to football. It has overshadowed the performance, especially after such a fantastic goal.
“Vini has been subjected to this a few times throughout his career, there is no place for it in football or society. It is disgusting.”
Benfica boss Mourinho also spoke Amazon Primeand claimed that Vinicius Jr incited the crowd and his players because of his celebration, but said he wanted to “be independent” of the incident as Vinicius Jr and Prestianni “told him different things”.
Mourinho said: “I told you [Vinicius Jr] – When you score a goal like that, you just celebrate and go back. When he argued about racism, I told him the biggest person [Eusebio] in this club’s history was black.
“This club, the last thing it is, is racist.”
Referee Francois Letexier crosses his arms to activate the anti-racism protocol and temporarily stop the fight
Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa said so Amazon Prime: “You have to ask the Benfica players [about it].
“Everyone can see what happened with Prestianni, he put the shirt over his mouth. You have to ask him.
“What Vini said is not important, we have to fight against racism in football. Of course we support Vini.”
On the objects thrown at Vinicius Jr, Alexander-Arnold said: “It’s a hostile environment, maybe they were upset by the way Vini celebrated. I don’t know what set them off like that. Like I said, a hostile environment. We’re used to it as a team. We’ll take the win, go home and play again.”
Vinicius Jnr has previously spoken out about repeated racist abuse he has suffered, saying in 2024 that he had “less and less” desire to play football because of the abuse. That same year, three Valencia fans were sentenced to eight months in prison for racially abusing him at a match in May 2023.
Meanwhile, five people were handed suspended prison sentences in 2025 for racially abusing Vinicius in an “unprecedented” sentence in Spain. The incident took place during Real Madrid’s match against Real Valladolid in September 2022.
‘shocking, shameful, upsetting’
Daily Mirror football journalist John Cross speaking on Back Pages Tonight:
“It’s really shocking and outrageous – completely disturbing. I can’t believe in 2026 that football doesn’t have a handle on this. Imagine if you’re Vinicius Jnr – a genius who just scored an incredible goal.
“This should shine a light and shame football. Strong action must be taken against the perpetrators. In a World Cup year, a strong message must be sent out.”