Mbappé’s sharp reply: ‘You racist pig’ as Madrid edge Benfica in tense European night
17 February 2026
In a Champions League playoff night shadowed by racism claims, Kylian Mbappé sought a response for Vinícius Júnior by directing a taunt at Benfica's Gianluca Prestiani.
Real Madrid carved out a valuable 1-0 win at Benfica's Estádio da Luz, taking control of the tie as the Portuguese hosts pushed hard in the first leg.
The result gives Madrid a slight edge ahead of the return at the Bernabéu, where a single away goal could be enough to swing the tie in their favor.
Moments after Vinícius celebrated near the corner flag, Movistar cameras captured Mbappé shouting, 'you racist pig, you pig!' as allegations of prejudice swirled around the stadium.
The gesture followed reports that Prestiani had hurled racist remarks at Vinícius, prompting the Brazilian to file a complaint and the referee to halt play.
Benfica's benches surged with tension, with players from both sides engaging in heated exchanges as the crowd booed relentlessly.
Vinícius left the field, spoke with Benfica coach José Mourinho on the sidelines, and returned after a roughly ten-minute pause.
When play resumed, the intensity did not fade, and the home fans kept up their chorus of whistles for the Madrid winger.
The match also showcased Vinícius's trademark celebrations and Madrid's defense holding firm against a Benfica side eager for a comeback in the second leg.
What happened?
The game's early goal, a curling finish by Vinícius, opened the scoring and sparked a tense atmosphere.
A stoppage occurred when the alleged insult was alleged by Prestiani.
The in-game events were overshadowed by off-field tensions, including chants and protests.
Aftermath and reactions
Madrid head back to Madrid with a precious lead; Benfica face a tricky return leg.
There was talk of investigations and discussions about racism in football, with authorities urging calm and discipline.
Mourinho's presence on the Benfica bench was noted as a factor in the tense atmosphere.
Punchline: If racism were a goal, this game would be an own goal for everyone involved.
Punchline 2: In football, the only thing that should be offside is negativity—let's keep the jokes onside and the vibes friendly.
