In a powerful and raw segment on CBS Sports, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry delivered an emotional reaction to the incident involving Vinícius Júnior and Gianluca Prestianni during last night’s Champions League playoff clash.
The match between Real Madrid and Benfica was halted for 10 minutes after Vinícius accused the 20-year-old Argentine of using a racial slur. The tension reached a boiling point when referee François Letexier performed the “crossed arms” gesture, officially activating UEFA’s anti-racism protocol for the first time in a high-profile 2026 fixture.
Henry’s Stance: “It’s One Word Against Another”
Henry, visibly moved, reflected on his own career struggles with racism, offering a rare glimpse into the isolation players feel in these moments.
“I can relate to what Vinícius is going through. It happened to me so many times on the field. At times you feel lonely because it’s going to be your word against his word.”
Key highlights from Henry’s speech:
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The “Cowardly” Act: Henry focused on Prestianni’s decision to cover his mouth with his jersey. “We don’t know what Prestianni said because he was very ‘courageous’ and put his shirt over his mouth… that already looks suspicious.”
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A Failure of 2026: Henry lamented that in 2026, the conversation is still about abuse rather than Vinícius’s spectacular 50th-minute winning goal.
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The Corner Flag Controversy: He criticized the suggestion that Vinícius’s dancing celebration “provoked” the abuse. “It’s a corner kick—is he not allowed to go there? Suddenly, he becomes the victim for just being there.”
The Fallout in Lisbon
While the game eventually finished 1–0 to Real Madrid, the aftermath has been chaotic:
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Kylian Mbappé reportedly confronted Prestianni on the pitch and later called for him to be banned from the competition, claiming he heard the slur repeated five times.
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José Mourinho (Benfica manager) was sent off during the match. Post-game, he noted that he spoke to both players but reminded Vinícius that Benfica’s greatest legend, Eusébio, was Black.
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Prestianni’s Denial: The Benfica winger took to Instagram to deny the allegations, claiming Vinícius “misunderstood” a standard provocation.
What Happens Next?
UEFA has officially opened an investigation. Because the referee did not hear the insult personally, the case will rely on video lip-reading analysis and witness testimonies from players like Mbappé and Bellingham, who were in the immediate vicinity.