When a Youthful Scandal Resurfaces: Prestiani’s Violent Moment Sends Benfica-Real Madrid Replays into the Spotlight
18 February 2026
Controversial Moment Resurfaces in Benfica-Real Madrid Tie
A four-year-old incident paints Gianluca Prestiani, Benfica's young Argentine forward, as a troublemaker on the field.
During the first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoff, Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior publicly accused Prestiani of taunts and racist remarks, and the moment overshadowed the game itself.
Real Madrid won 1-0 at the Estádio da Luz on Tuesday, with the second leg scheduled for the Santiago Bernabéu.
Marca later circulated video of a heated exchange between Argentina and Brazil's under-17 players from years past, linking Prestiani to the clash as a potential instigator.
The publication argues the video was not random; it frames Prestiani as a person at the center of trouble.
Revisiting the 2022 footage from the Montijo final in France, Brazil beat Argentina 2-1, escalating a tense rivalry that had simmered through the match.
As the match ended, the Argentine player allegedly struck Brazilian Dalá Kort with a punch, sparking a full-on melee between the two sides.
There was also a Twitter embed placeholder showing the social media buzz that followed the episode.
Punchline: If drama counted as goals, this episode would carry the Golden Boot.
Punchline 2: The only thing sharper than a punch is this headline, so consider it an assist for your scrolling skills.
