Mourinho Blames Vinícius Jr. and Targets the Ref in Benfica-Real Madrid Clash
17 February 2026
Match drama and controversy
Benfica hosted Real Madrid at the Estádio da Luz in the first leg of the Champions League playoff and fell 0-1.
The night featured off‑field turmoil as Vinícius Júnior faced racist abuse from a Benfica player (Gianluca Prestiani), prompting a stoppage that lasted about ten minutes. Mourinho was shown a second yellow and was sent off, ruling him out of the Bernabéu return.
Real Madrid controlled the tempo after the early phase, and Vinícius scored a goal that, in Mourinho’s words, only he or Mbappé could pull off, leaving Benfica with a tough task for the away leg.
The red card and the crowd’s reaction overshadowed the on-field action as bookings and clashes multiplied through the night.
Vinícius’s celebration near the corner flag drew boos from the home fans; the referee issued a yellow card for taunting, while several Benfica players clashed with the Brazilian forward.
Mourinho's remarks, the red card and next steps
Mourinho told Movistar that he had spoken with both Vinícius and his accuser, stressing he did not want to be fully biased and that he would not pretend Vinícius’s version is the absolute truth.
He insisted Real Madrid deserved to win and that Benfica started well, but Madrid were the stronger side from around the 30th minute onward.
On his red card, Mourinho said he was sent off for saying something obvious and defended the measures that prevented other players from receiving a second yellow to avoid a suspension in the return.
He added that after thousands of matches he knows how refereeing discipline works, and that his absence from the bench and dressing room will be tough, though his assistants are on duty.
The stoppage for the racism incident ended with Vinícius returning to the pitch after about ten minutes, and the atmosphere at the Luz remained heated as every touch by the Brazilian drew jeers from Benfica supporters.
The match resumed with Vinícius’s every move under scrutiny, and the crowd’s protests continued through the remainder of the night.
Punchline 1: If this match were a stand‑up routine, the stadium would be the audience and Mourinho the headliner—tickets sold out, jokes included, and a yellow card for the punchline.
Punchline 2: In football as in comedy, the best lines come with a whistle—tonight it came with a card, not with a goal celebration.
