Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho has spoken on the touchy issue involving the infamous clash involving him and winger Vinicius Jr.
In the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League campaign, Vinicus Jr allegedly suffered racist abuse from Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni in an ill-tempered game.
After the big incident, Mourinho, the head coach of Benfica defended Prestianni saying the Argentine was innocent until proven guilty.
In an interview with AS, Mourinho, who was recently appointed as Real Madrid head coach, indicated that he had moved past the issue as he prepares to coach Vinicius Jr in his new role.
“The answer is very simple: Prestianni was my player. If Prestianni is my player… 20 players can come at me and I’m still with Prestianni. End of story.”
“I think Vini knows now. He knows whose side I’m on and he knows he can look at me and count on me to stand alongside him…he knows I’m going to be there for him” Mourinho said.
Real Madrid open their 2026-2027 campaign on Saturday, August 22 against Espanyol.
