Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni has received full backing from his club after being accused of racial abuse by Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior following their Champions League first-leg clash.
The match ended 1-0 in Madrid’s favour, but it was overshadowed by a heated confrontation in which Vini Jr alleged that Prestianni directed racist remarks at him as the players returned to the centre circle.
In the early hours after the game, Prestianni addressed the accusations on social media, defending himself and questioning why no immediate reactions had been raised at the time.
“If so many people are saying that I supposedly made a racist comment to Vinicius Junior, why didn’t anyone react? Accusing someone of something serious isn’t right, especially when it’s not true,” he wrote.
He added that his gesture of covering his face with his shirt had been misinterpreted, noting that “all the players cover their faces when they speak,” and urged others not to spread falsehoods.
Benfica amplified their support by sharing Prestianni’s statement on Instagram at 2:40 a.m., accompanied by a message reading, “together, by your side,” signaling their firm stance behind the young winger.
The club’s response comes amid a swirling controversy that has sparked debate across European football, with UEFA protocols temporarily halting the match for ten minutes while the allegations were being addressed.
The incident has highlighted the complexities of player conduct, media scrutiny, and social media amplification in high-stakes Champions League fixtures.
While Madrid players, including Kylian Mbappe, have vocally defended Vini Jr, Benfica’s public support of Prestianni demonstrates the club’s commitment to protecting their player until any formal investigation is concluded.
