Vinicius faces racist abuse again after Real Madrid’s win at Benfica
Vinicius Junior scored for Real Madrid against Benfica, but the match was overshadowed by another incident of alleged racist abuse aimed at the Brazilian forward. The Champions League game was paused after Vinicius reported that Gianluca Prestianni called him a racist slur, which Prestianni denies. Vinicius has been repeatedly targeted by racist abuse since joining Real Madrid in 2018. His outspoken stance against racism has made him a prominent figure in the fight against discrimination in football.
Match highlights
- The Champions League play-off first leg was halted for 10 minutes after Vinicius reported racist abuse by Gianluca Prestianni.
- Vinicius has faced several high-profile racist incidents, including abuse from fans in Spain and confrontations at stadiums.
- In January 2023, Atletico fans hung an effigy of Vinicius from a bridge near Real Madrid’s training ground.
- Kylian Mbappe and other teammates have publicly supported Vinicius, calling for strict action against offenders.
- Vinicius’s expressive playing style and vocal stance against racism have made him a frequent target, but he continues to speak out and celebrate his successes despite the abuse.
