At Real Madrid, they are happy that Gianluca Prestianni will not play on Wednesday evening. The Benfica player has been given a provisional suspension pending the results of the investigation into alleged racism aimed at Vinícius Júnior. We have the chance to deal racism a heavy blow.
Real Madrid vs Benfica will be played at 21:00 on 25-02-2026, and the build up has been dominated by the storm around Gianluca Prestianni and the ongoing investigation into alleged racist remarks directed at Vinicius Junior.
With UEFA still reviewing the case, the Benfica player has received a provisional suspension, meaning he will not feature on Wednesday night. Inside the Real Madrid camp, the tone is clear: the club sees this as a defining moment, not only for the tie, but for the wider fight against racism in football.
Speaking at the pre match press conference ahead of the second leg in the Champions League playoff round, Thibaut Courtois framed the situation as bigger than a single incident or a single player. He described it as an important moment for the sport, insisting that the time has come to draw a hard line and end repeated episodes of abuse. Courtois emphasised that Real Madrid are standing fully behind Vinicius, pointing to the fact that similar situations have occurred too often across the game and that governing bodies need to set a firm precedent.
Courtois also underlined that the final decision rests with UEFA, but he did not hide his view that football must respond with real consequences when allegations of racism surface. In his words, the message from the dressing room is that the sport has a chance to strike a heavy blow against racism, and that failing to act decisively only allows these patterns to continue.
At the same time, Courtois acknowledged the difficulty that often comes with proving what happened in moments that take place in the chaos of a match. He described the case as complex, noting how quickly these situations can become a matter of one person statement against another. Even so, he said Real Madrid trust Vinicius completely. Courtois stressed that Vinicius is convinced he heard what was said, and that the team believe him without hesitation. He also pointed to a key detail that can make cases like this hard to settle: the claim that Prestianni covered his mouth while speaking, which can prevent clear confirmation from video evidence.
Courtois also made it explicit that Benfica will defend their player, which he presented as a predictable and natural reaction from any club in such circumstances. From his perspective, that is why the next steps are not in the hands of the teams involved. He framed it as a matter for UEFA and the relevant authorities, with Real Madrid limited to supporting their player and cooperating with whatever process follows.
A separate layer of tension was added by comments from Jose Mourinho, who defended Prestianni. When asked about that, Courtois did not appear surprised. He said Mourinho will always defend his club, as managers typically do. But he criticised one element strongly: the idea that Vinicius celebration could be used to shift blame or justify what is being alleged. Courtois made the point that nothing about a celebration, no matter how provocative some might interpret it, can be used as an excuse for racist behaviour. For him, that is a dangerous logic that football should reject immediately.
Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa delivered a message that largely matched Courtois tone, while adding his own emphasis. Arbeloa said the incident had not been a focus inside the dressing room, suggesting the team are trying to keep their competitive preparation separate from the noise surrounding the case. Still, he repeated the same central idea: UEFA now have an opportunity to make a significant difference. In his view, the organisation has consistently presented itself as committed to combating racism, and moments like this test whether that commitment translates into strong, visible action.
Arbeloa also highlighted that Vinicius impact on the pitch should not be lost in the debate. He referenced Vinicius goal as a reminder of what the Brazilian brings to the match, and he insisted again that nothing Vinicius has done, or could do, can justify a racist act. The argument from the Real Madrid side is straightforward: focus on football decisions, punish football offences, but treat racism as a line that cannot be crossed under any circumstances.
On Vinicius readiness for the second leg, Arbeloa projected confidence. He described Vinicius as mentally prepared, pointing to his courage and character, and portraying him as someone who responds to adversity by fighting back through performance. Arbeloa message was that Vinicius will approach the match with determination, both to help Real Madrid in a high pressure European night and to show again why he is considered among the best players in the world.
All of this lands on the eve of a match where emotions are already high and margins are usually thin. A Champions League second leg is often shaped by details: the tempo in the first twenty minutes, the psychological swings after key chances, and the ability to stay calm when the stadium turns tense. With the Prestianni case hanging over the tie, the atmosphere is likely to feel even sharper, both in the stands and on the pitch. Real Madrid will try to keep the focus on game control, transitions, and discipline, while Benfica will be determined not to let the controversy define their night or their European campaign.
From a wider perspective, the case also points to a recurring theme in modern football: the gap between public statements about fighting racism and the reality of how difficult it can be to investigate and sanction incidents in real time. Players cover their mouths, audio is rarely available, and interpretations can become contested instantly. That is why provisional measures like suspensions draw so much attention. They signal that the governing body is treating the allegation as serious while the investigation continues, but they also increase the scrutiny on whatever final decision is made.
Wednesday night, then, becomes more than a football fixture. It is a match between Real Madrid and Benfica with a place at stake, but it is also a moment where the sport is being asked to show what it values and what it will not tolerate. Real Madrid message is that Vinicius will be supported and that the game must respond firmly. Benfica message, implied by Courtois comments, is that they will stand by their player while the process runs. In the middle sits UEFA, under pressure to reach a conclusion that is credible, consistent, and strong enough to deter future incidents.
Updated: 04:10, 24 Feb 2026
