Real Madrid Star Reveals What Was Allegedly Said to Vinícius Junior in Champions League Clash

Photo by Valter Gouveia/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images

Real Madrid Star Reveals What Was Allegedly Said to Vinícius Junior in Champions League Clash

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Emmanuel Mendez | Last updated Feb 17, 2026 5:39 PM ET

Real Madrid defeated Benfica 1-0 away from home in the first leg of the knockout phase playoffs in the Champions League. The Spanish side has the advantage ahead of the seocnd leg next week at the Bernabeu.

The goalscorer for Real Madrid was Vinicius Junior, who scored an incredible goal early in the second half.

What followed after the goal was disgraceful as the Brazilian forward allegedly faced a racial remark from Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni before the match resumed.

Vinicius Junior walked off the pitch after telling the referee what happened, and the official Francois Letexier activated the anti-racism protocol by crossing his arms.

Cameras caught Prestianni covering his mouth with his jersey as he said something to Vinicius Junior. After the match, Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni revealed what was said between Vinicius Junior and Prestianni.

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid in a clash with Gianluca Prestianni of Benfica during the UEFA Champions League match between Benfica v Real Madrid at the Estadio Da Luz on February 17, 2026 in Lisbon Portugal (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images

Aurélien Tchouaméni on Vinicius Jr and Gianluca Prestianni Incident

Vinicius Junior did not hesitate once that he was racially abused on the pitch as cameras quickly saw how the Brazilian forward reacted after an interaction with Gianluca Prestianni.

Fans at home and reports suggested that Prestianni allegedly called Vinicius Junior a 'monkey' in Spanish. Real Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni spoke after the match and said that Vincius told his teammates what Prestianni said.

Tchouaméni said, "Vini told us the Prestianni guy called him a m*nkey, but the Benfica player was saying he only called him a f*ggot."

Tchouameni, sobre el insulto racista que ha danunciado Vinicius de Prestianni:

"Nos ha dicho que le ha llamado mono, y el chico (Prestianni) dice que le dijo maric*n".

Nos vemos a las 12 de la noche en MEGA. pic.twitter.com/40snQZsp9E
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) February 17, 2026

Real Madrid players were prepared to walk off the pitch to support Vini as Tchouaméni said, "We all agreed to walk off the pitch if something like this happened, but then we talked, and we decided we have to go out there and beat them."

Federico Valverde insisted that Prestianni said something bad and said, "If you cover your mouth, it's because you know something isn't right."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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