VINICIUS JUNIOR SAID “racists are cowards” after the Brazil forward was allegedly abused during Real Madrid’s Champions League win over Benfica.

The 25-year-old left the field in Lisbon after reporting a member of the Benfica team – whom the Spanish side later claimed to have been winger Gianluca Prestianni – to the referee.

The match was paused in line with UEFA regulations, resulting in a stoppage in play that lasted 10 minutes, with Vinicius going on to play the full game in Real’s 1-0 win.

It came after the Brazilian had given his team the lead with a wonderful individual strike five minutes into the second half.

After celebrating in front of the home fans, he became visibly upset about something said to him and immediately informed the referee.

After the game, Vinicius posted in Portuguese on his Instagram story: “Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts in their mouths to demonstrate how weak they are.

“But, they have protection from others who, theoretically, have the obligation to punish. Nothing that happened today is new in my life and my family’s.

“I received a yellow card for celebrating a goal. Still not understanding why. On the other side, just a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose.

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A post shared by Vinicius Jr. ⚡️🇧🇷 (@vinijr)

“I don’t like to appear in situations like this, even more so after a great victory and when the headlines have to be about Real Madrid, but it’s necessary.”

In a statement in Portuguese on Instagram, shared by Benfica on social media, Prestianni denied making racist comments.

He wrote: “I want to clarify that at no time did I direct racist insults to Vini Jr, who regrettably misunderstood what he thought he heard.

“I was never racist with anyone and I regret the threats I received from Real Madrid players.”

Benfica boss Jose Mourinho was criticised for suggesting Vinicius had provoked the abuse, while Trent Alexander-Arnold called the incident “a disgrace to football”.

Mourinho had said to Amazon Prime: “I told him, when you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back. They (Vinicius and Prestianni) told me different things. But I don’t believe in one or another. I want to be an independent.”

Mourinho then appeared to comment on previous incidents in which Vinicius has been subject to racist abuse in stadiums.

The Brazilian has spoken out multiple times against racism he has been subject to inside stadiums, saying in November 2024: “I play in Spain, where I suffered a lot and still suffer.”

In June of that year, three Valencia fans were jailed for eight months for racially abusing him during a LaLiga game in May 2023, in the first verdict of its kind in Spain.

“There is something wrong because it happens in every stadium,” said Mourinho. “A stadium where Vinicius plays something happens, always.”

Former Real Madrid midfielder Clarence Seedorf, who was working as a pundit at the game, thinks Mourinho made “a big mistake” with his comments.

He said on Amazon Prime: “I think he made a big mistake today to justify racial abuse and I’m not saying that was the case today but he mentioned something more than today.

“He said wherever he goes these things happen, so he’s saying it’s OK when Vinicius provokes you, that is it OK to be racist and I think that is very wrong.

“We should never, ever justify racial abuse.”

England right-back Alexander-Arnold said: “I think what has happened tonight is a disgrace to football and overshadowed the performance as well after an amazing goal.

“Vini has been subject to this a few times throughout his career. To ruin a night like this for our team is a disgrace. No place for it in football or society. It is disgusting.”

Written by Press Association and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.