The fallout from the Champions League clash between Benfica and Real Madrid has reached a boiling point. On February 24, 2026, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois issued a scathing rebuttal to Jose Mourinho, defending teammate Vinícius Junior after an alleged racial abuse incident involving Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni.
The Incident at Estadio da Luz
During Madrid’s 1–0 win in Lisbon last week, Vinícius reported that Prestianni—while covering his mouth with his shirt—subjected him to racial slurs.
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The Protcol: The match was delayed for 10 minutes as the anti-racism protocol was activated.
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Witnesses: Kylian Mbappé and other teammates have stated they heard Prestianni use the term “monkey” multiple times.
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The Defense: Prestianni has denied the claims, with some sources at Benfica suggesting he used a homophobic slur rather than a racist one—a defense Courtois described as “equally unacceptable.”
Courtois Rebukes Mourinho
Courtois took aim at Mourinho’s post-match comments, where the Benfica manager focused on Vinícius’s “provocative” celebration and cited club legend Eusébio as proof that Benfica cannot be racist.
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Victim Blaming: Courtois expressed deep frustration that the conversation shifted from the insult to the celebration. “Mourinho is Mourinho… but it bothers me that Vinícius’s celebration is being used against him. No celebration justifies racism or homophobia,” the Belgian stated.
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The Eusébio Argument: Courtois joined a chorus of critics, including Lilian Thuram and Vincent Kompany, who labeled Mourinho’s use of Eusébio’s legacy as “gaslighting” and “pathetic.”
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Referee Responsibility: Courtois argued that it shouldn’t be the player’s job to decide if a match continues. “We must stop being so stupid as a society. If this happens in the stands or on the pitch, the match must stop and the perpetrators must be removed immediately.”
UEFA Steps In
As the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu approaches on Wednesday, February 25, the governing body has taken provisional action.
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Prestianni Suspended: UEFA has issued a provisional one-match ban for Prestianni while the investigation continues. He could face a minimum 10-match ban if found guilty.
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Mourinho Sidelined: Mourinho will also miss the second leg from the bench after being sent off in the first leg for his protests.
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Benfica’s Counter: President Rui Costa has continued to defend Prestianni, alleging a “smear campaign” and pointing toward an unproven incident involving Fede Valverde, which Madrid has flatly denied.