Vini Jr offered transfer route out of Real Madrid amid Benfica racism row
One of Vinicius Junior’s international team-mates has suggested that the Brazilian could leave Real Madrid amid the ongoing investigation into allegations that he was racially abused by Gianluca Prestianni during Los Blancos’ Champions League play-off first-leg 1–0 win over Benfica.
On 17 February, UEFA’s anti-racism protocol was enforced by referee François Letexier after Vinicius alleged that he had been racially abused by Prestianni.
The game was brought to a halt before resuming 10 minutes later. After the match, Kylian Mbappé claimed that he heard Prestianni say the word “monkey” five times.
The Benfica winger has denied the allegations and suggested that what he said has been “misinterpreted”.
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Following last week’s event, an investigation was opened by the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body, with Prestianni handed a provisional one-match ban ahead of the play-off second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday (25 February).
Benfica appealed the sanction, but it was upheld by UEFA despite Prestianni already travelling to Madrid with the rest of the squad.
Meanwhile, this is not the first time that Vinicius has allegedly been racially abused while playing for Real Madrid.
In his eight years with the club, according to BBC Sport, there have been 20 alleged cases of racist abuse directed towards the 25-year-old.
In 2024, the forward even broke down in tears during a press conference while away on international duty with Brazil, with the player admitting that he was losing the desire to play.
Vinicius said: “I just want to play football, but it’s hard to move forward … I feel less and less like playing. It never crossed my mind [to leave Spain] because if I leave Spain, I give the racists exactly what they want.”
And following last week’s incident, Vinicius’ Brazil team-mate and former West Ham midfielder Lucas Paquetá has suggested that his compatriot could return to his boyhood club, Flamengo.
Speaking to ESPN, the midfielder explained that the pair “talk a lot” before revealing that they both previously promised to return to Flamengo one day.
“We talk a lot, but it’s very sad to still have to experience and witness the things that happen to Vini,” Paquetá said. “Those who know him know the heart he has. People place a burden on him that he shouldn’t carry. He’s the victim there. I, all of Flamengo, and all of his staff, have our full support for Vini.”
He added: “We talk a lot and I told him: ‘I’m here, now all that’s missing is you. Come because we have to fulfil what we promised.’ I’m sure that at the right time he will be returning to Flamengo.”
Vinicius has previously described Flamengo as “the club of my life”.
Topics: Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid, Racism, Champions League, Flamengo
Luke Davies