Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho has seemingly criticised Real Madrid Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr for instigating the commotion that led to an alleged racist incident aimed at the winger.
The Portuguese trainer wasn’t impressed with Vinicius Jr’s celebrations after the latter scored against Benfica in the UEFA Champions League.
Vinicius Jr’s brilliant curled finish gave Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Benfica in the first leg of the playoffs but the glorious moment turned into a harrowing one as players from both teams clashed leading to Argentine player Gianluca Prestianni covering his mouth while allegedly saying racial insults in the direction of Vinicius.
Vinicius promptly reported the incident to the referee who halted the game for the incident to be reported for investigations to commence before play resumed per UEFA rules.
Addressing the heated incident to Amazon prime, Jose Mourinho was critical of Vinicius Jr’s role by stating,
Vinícius Júnior of Real Madrid CF and Gianluca Prestianni of SL Benfica argue during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid C.F (Photo by Valter Gouveia/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images)Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid scores his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid C.F (Photo by Octavio Passos – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
“These talents are able to do these beautiful things, but unfortunately he [Vinicius Junior] was not just happy to score that astonishing goal. When you score a goal like that, you celebrate in a respectful way.”
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid speaks to referee Francois Letexier during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid C.F. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
“Yes [Vinicius Jr. incited the crowd]. I believe so. Then the words that they exchange Gianluca Prestianni with Vinicius I want to be an independent.”
Head Coach Jose Mourinho of SL Benfica gets a red card during the UEFA Champions League match between Benfica and Real Madrid (Photo by Carlos Silva/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Vinicius Junior reacts with Alvaro Arbeloa, Head Coach of Real Madrid, during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid C.F. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
