sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Jose Mourinho slammed for comments on Vini Jr incident as pundits left speechless
Home>Football>Football News>Champions League
Updated 23:10 17 Feb 2026 GMTPublished 22:55 17 Feb 2026 GMT

Jose Mourinho slammed for comments on Vini Jr incident as pundits left speechless

The Benfica boss has revealed exactly what he said to Vinicius Junior following the alleged racist incident.

Ben McCrum

Ben McCrum

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Jose Mourinho has come under fire for his controversial post-match comments after Vinicius Junior suffered alleged racist abuse during the Champions League match against Benfica.

On Tuesday night, Benfica welcomed Real Madrid to the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon for what promised to be an exciting Champions League clash.

However, what was a fantastic match of football has been overshadowed by a moment following Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior's goal in the second half.

Shortly after opening the scoring, the Brazilian sprinted over to referee Francois Letexier to report that he had been subject to racist abuse, allegedly from a Benfica player.

Advert

And now, Benfica manager Mourinho has addressed the incident in a controversial interview that has caused huge backlash online.

Jose Mourinho spoke with Vinicus Jr following the incident. (Image: Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho spoke with Vinicus Jr following the incident. (Image: Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Immediately after the incident occurred, Mourinho seen approaching Vinicius and other members of the Real Madrid staff to speak to them about the moment.

The Portuguese manager spent some time speaking to the Brazilian about the incident, which allegedly involved a comment made by Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni who was seen covering his mouth with his shirt as he approached Vinicius moments before the report was made.

Now, Mourinho has spoken out to reveal exactly what he said to Vinicius, explaining that he told the Real Madrid forward that his celebration after scoring the goal was not respectful and that it had created tension.

Speaking to Amazon Prime, he said: "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."

Asked to clarify if he was saying that the celebration had incited the crowd and Benfica's players, he replied: "Yes. I believe so. Then the words that they exchange Gianluca Prestianni with Vinicius I want to be an independent."

When asked further to address the alleged racist comments, Mourinho added: "I saw two completely different things. I want to be independent, and I don't comment about it. I told him [Vinicius] exactly that.

"I told him when you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back. When he was arguing about racism, I told him the biggest person [Eusebio] in the history of this club was black.

"This club, the last thing that it is, is racist. If in his mind there was something in relation to that – this in Benfica. They [Vinicius and Gianluca Prestianni] told me different things. But I don't believe in one or another. I want to be an independent."

Perhaps most controversial, was Mourinho's comments that it appears that anytime Vinicius Jr plays there is an allegation of racism.

Mourinho said: "There is something wrong because it happens in every stadium.

"A stadium where Vinicius plays something happens, always.

"Look, I am saying it was a good 50 minutes of football. I believe millions of people are watching around the world – a crazy goal and then game over."

Octavio Passos - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Octavio Passos - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Reacting to the interview, one fan wrote on social media: "Jose Mourinho has disappointed me SEVERELY tonight. This post match interview is disgusting."

While another added: "Fairs we know what type of man Mourinho is now. The irony too, JOSE MOURINHO talking about provoking 60k fans."

Immediately after the interview, Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott echoed the fan's comments, saying that they were disappointed to hear Mourinho's comments.

Meanwhile Clarence Seedorf added that there was nothing correct that Mourinho could have said following the incident and that he should have instead stayed in the dressing room post-match.

Featured Image Credit: Getty/ Amazon Prime

Topics: Jose Mourinho, Vinicius Junior, Racism, Benfica, Real Madrid, Champions League, Football

Ben McCrum
Ben McCrum

Ben is a sports journalist who specialises in football, Formula One and MMA. He has written for publications such as Manchester Evening News, WiganToday, Manchester World and beIN Sports. Throughout his career, he has interviewed top athletes including Gareth Southgate, Luke Littler, Tom Aspinall and Jenson Button.

X

@benmcc14

Recommended reads

David Croft proposes new Olympic sport with drivers from 'around the world' ahead of British GPGetty'Mo Salah owes me money!' - Micah Richards makes claim about Egypt icon 11 years on from gesture GettyThierry Henry on his ‘big brother’ France teammate, biggest influence and the discipline that defines himGetty Images'He battered me for it' - Lionel Messi's shirt ended up with ex England star Jack Wilshere after teammate assistGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

15 mins ago
an hour ago
4 hours ago
5 hours ago
  • Getty Images
    15 mins ago

    Kylian Mbappé praised for rare act moments before France vs Paraguay

    Mbappé led the line for France during their Round of 16 clash against Paraguay.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    an hour ago

    England's World Cup clash with Mexico at risk as concerning update emerges

    England take on Mexico in Mexico City for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals on Monday (July 6).

    Football
  • Getty Images
    4 hours ago

    Man City hijack Arsenal transfer as Enzo Maresca closes in on next signing

    Maresca could soon welcome a highly rated winger to the club despite interest from Arsenal.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    5 hours ago

    FIFA investigation into Mexico ordered as England prepare for carbon copy situation before World Cup clash

    Mexico have only lost two of their 89 competitive matches at the Azteca.

    Football
  • Vincent Kompany calls out Jose Mourinho for Eusebio comments after Vini Jr incident
  • Gianluca Prestianni takes immediate action following incident with Vini Jr
  • Trent Alexander-Arnold speaks out on Vini Jr incident as Brazilian issues statement
  • UEFA take action after Vini Jr and Gianluca Prestianni incident in new statement