Not the First or the Last: Prestiani’s Jab Sparks a Controversy After Benfica–Real Madrid Clash
19 February 2026
Video details
The Belgian winger Dodi Lukebakio repeatedly tried to block cameras during a moment captured on a Benfica flight, according to widely shared footage.
The on pitch sequence
A circulating clip shows Gianluca Prestiani aged 20 likening his teammate Lukebakio to thieves while wearing a winter cap as the scene unfolds.
The young Argentine then held up a cartoonlike image of himself on a phone screen in front of the cameras, while Lukebakio attempted to shield the recording during a Benfica flight.
Vinícius Júnior celebrated Madrid s only goal with a dance in front of Benfica fans, a moment that sparked a heated reaction from some spectators and players alike.
Following the celebrations, Prestiani clashed with Vinícius and subsequently accused him of directing racist abuse at him, a claim that drew immediate attention in the aftermath of the match in Lisbon.
These events come amid a broader debate on racism and player conduct, with supporters and analysts weighing in on where banter ends and insult begins.
Punchline 1: If football drama came with a license to grill, this tale would need a bigger extinguisher than VAR. Punchline 2: In football as in life, accuracy matters—especially when you are aiming for the headlines rather than the goal.
