Brahim Diaz stands with Vinicius Junior after Benfica racism incident

Moroccan midfielder Brahim Diaz has publicly expressed his support for teammate Vinicius Junior following the controversial incident involving Gianluca Prestianni during Real Madrid’s Champions League match on 17 February.

On social media, Diaz shared a brief but powerful message: “Together, my brother,” highlighting the solidarity within the Real Madrid squad.

Other teammates, including Kylian Mbappé and Trent Alexander-Arnold, also spoke out against discrimination, reinforcing the collective backing Vinicius has received in the dressing room.

The incident unfolded at Lisbon’s Estádio da Luz during the first leg of the Champions League play-offs.

After Real Madrid scored, Vinicius reported to referee François Letexier that Prestianni had directed racist insults at him, allegedly using the word “monkey” multiple times. UEFA’s anti-racism protocol was activated, and the match was temporarily halted while officials addressed the situation.

Prestianni has strongly denied the allegations, claiming that Vinicius “misinterpreted” his words, and Benfica backed their player, suggesting a potential “defamation campaign” against him. UEFA has since appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to investigate the claims.

Inside the Real Madrid camp, the response was immediate, with Diaz’s post reflecting the collective stance of the team. Solidarity for Vinicius extended beyond the club, as public figures, including Lewis Hamilton, voiced support and condemned the abuse.

Vinicius himself addressed the incident on Instagram, describing the perpetrators as “cowards” and lamenting the recurring nature of such attacks against him and his family.

His statement was both a personal response and a broader challenge to authorities, calling for accountability while reaffirming his determination to continue fighting discrimination.

UEFA’s investigation is ongoing, with no final decision yet announced. For Real Madrid, however, the message is clear: the team stands united behind Vinicius, and Diaz’s words “together” symbolize the unwavering support of the squad as they rally around their Brazilian star.