Kylian Mbappe gives explosive interview as he reveals alleged racist comment
The Real Madrid star has revealed the alleged comment made towards Vinicius Junior during the Champions League match.
Kylian Mbappe has revealed the alleged racist comment made towards Real Madrid teammate Vinicius Junior during the Champions League clash with Benfica.
Just moments after scoring a spectacular match-winning goal against Benfica in the Champions League, Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior claimed he had been subject to disgusting racist abuse.
Shortly before the match resumed following the goal, the Brazilian was seen approaching referee Francois Letexier to report that he had been heard a racist comment, allegedly from a Benfica player.
It is alleged that the comment came from Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni, who was seen covering his mouth with his shirt as he approached Vinicius moments before the report was made.
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And now, Mbappe has lashed out at Prestianni in an interview in which he reveals the comment that the 20-year-old is alleged to have said to Vinicius.
Immediately after the incident, Mbappe and many of his Real Madrid teammates were clearly incensed to have learned about what happened.
Although the match later resumed, with Mbappe and Vinicius remaining on the pitch, it's clear that the Frenchman has not forgotten what happened or how it made him feel, something he made clear post-match.
Speaking to the media, the Real Madrid striker alleged that Prestianni had called Vinicius a m****y on several occasions during the match.
According to Madrid Zone, Mbappe claimed: "I will tell you the full story of what happened: Vinicius scored, and what a goal! He celebrated.
"Then the fans booed. These things happen, they happen, and they will happen in football.
"Then there was a tense moment with the Benfica players. It's best if things don't escalate further, but that's also possible, because, as you know, it's the Champions League, the best club competition in the world.
"There was player number 25 from Benfica—I don't want to mention his name, he doesn't deserve it—who started speaking rudely and saying insults.
"That's also unacceptable, but it happens in football and it will always happen. Then he put his shirt down here and said 'm****y, m****y, m****y, m****y, m****y
"I heard him say it, and some Benfica players heard him too, and then everything you saw started."
Mbappe continued, claiming that Prestianni's actions meant that he should not be allowed to play in the Champions League ever again.
He added: "I have the utmost respect for Benfica and their coach, who is one of the best in history and who made history with Real Madrid, but in my opinion, this player doesn't deserve to play in the Champions League anymore.
"It's a great honour to play in the Champions League, the most prestigious competition. I think everyone here is incredibly excited about the Champions League. Of course, I'm excited as a player, it excites people, especially children.
"We have to be good role models for young people because if we let things like this go unnoticed, I think all the values of football will lose their meaning, everything we believe in will lose its value, and we have to be something of value."
Topics: Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid, Champions League, Racism, Benfica
Ben McCrum