If Gianluca Prestianni is called up by Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni for next summer's World Cup, he will have to miss the first two group matches. FIFA has adopted the UEFA suspension imposed on the Benfica forward following a much-discussed incident involving Vinícius Júnior in February.
FIFA decision leaves Prestianni facing a major World Cup setback
Gianluca Prestianni could be forced to watch the beginning of the World Cup from the stands if Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni decides to include him in the squad for next summer. The Benfica forward, still only 20, has seen his UEFA suspension formally recognised by FIFA, a decision that could have direct consequences for his international ambitions at the biggest tournament in football.
The case goes back to the Champions League meeting between Benfica and Real Madrid on 17 February, a match that became surrounded by controversy after an incident involving Prestianni and Vinícius Júnior. The Brazilian forward had previously claimed that the Argentine had racially abused him during the game, while UEFA ultimately punished Prestianni for homophobic behaviour. On 24 April, the governing body imposed a six-match suspension, although three of those matches were suspended for a period of two years.
That left Prestianni with an active punishment of three matches. As he had already been kept out of the second leg of the round of 16 against Real Madrid while the investigation was ongoing, he is now considered to have two matches left to serve. Initially, the suspension applied only to UEFA competitions, meaning it would have affected his availability for European club football rather than his international career. However, UEFA requested that FIFA extend the disciplinary measure to its own official competitions, and that request has now been accepted.
The practical consequence is significant. Should Scaloni call Prestianni into the Argentina squad for the World Cup, the Benfica attacker would be unavailable for the first two group-stage matches, against Algeria and Austria. He would only become eligible again after serving those two games, which could leave him fighting for minutes from a difficult position, especially in a squad as competitive as Argentina.
For a young player trying to establish himself at international level, the timing could hardly be more delicate. Prestianni made his senior Argentina debut late last year, coming off the bench in a friendly against Angola. That appearance was seen as an important step in his development and a sign that Scaloni and his staff were monitoring his progress closely. At the start of April, he was again involved with the national team, although he remained on the bench during a friendly against Zambia.
Those call-ups suggested that Prestianni had moved into the wider conversation around the world champions. Argentina continue to have one of the deepest attacking groups in international football, and breaking into that environment is already difficult even without disciplinary complications. Missing the opening two games of a World Cup would make his situation even more complicated, as coaches often use the group stage to build rhythm, define roles and settle the hierarchy inside the squad.
From Scaloni’s perspective, the decision now creates a selection dilemma. Prestianni is talented, versatile and still developing, but taking a player who cannot be used in the first two official matches would require a clear sporting justification. In a tournament where every squad place matters, especially in attacking positions, availability can become almost as important as talent. Argentina will have to weigh his long-term potential and current form against the immediate limitation created by the ban.
At club level, Prestianni has had a busy season under José Mourinho at Benfica. He has played 39 official matches and scored three goals, numbers that show he has been part of the first-team rotation throughout the campaign. While he has not yet become one of the main statistical references of the side, his regular involvement under a demanding coach is a sign of trust and progression. Mourinho has often used young players carefully, and Prestianni’s minutes this season have helped him gain valuable experience in high-pressure environments.
His profile remains an attractive one. Prestianni is quick, technically sharp and capable of operating in advanced areas where one-on-one ability can make a difference. That is precisely why Argentina have kept him close to the senior setup. Players with his characteristics can be useful in games that require width, direct running or a change of rhythm from the bench. However, the current disciplinary situation risks slowing down what had been a promising rise.
The decision also places Benfica in the spotlight, even though the immediate World Cup consequence belongs to Argentina. The Portuguese club have invested in Prestianni as a player with considerable upside, and any extended controversy surrounding him naturally affects the way his development is discussed. For Benfica, the priority will be to keep the player focused, ensure that he continues to grow on the pitch and avoid allowing the suspension to define his season.
For Prestianni himself, the coming months may prove decisive. He will need to respond with maturity, both in his behaviour and in his performances. Young players often face moments that test their career trajectory beyond pure football ability, and this is now one of those moments. The talent is not in question, but the next step will depend on how he handles the consequences of the punishment and how quickly he can restore confidence around him.
The fact that he can still participate in Argentina friendly matches is important. The suspension applies only to official UEFA and FIFA matches, so Scaloni could continue to involve him in preparation games before the tournament. That would allow the coaching staff to assess his form, fitness and attitude, while also giving Prestianni an opportunity to remain connected to the group. Even so, friendlies do not carry the same weight as competitive fixtures, and the knowledge that he would miss the opening World Cup matches will remain a major factor in any selection discussion.
Argentina are expected to approach the tournament with the ambition and pressure that come with being reigning world champions. Every decision will be examined closely, from the final squad list to the balance between experienced figures and younger options. In that context, Prestianni’s case becomes more than a disciplinary footnote. It could directly influence whether a promising attacker gets the chance to experience his first World Cup or whether Scaloni chooses a fully available alternative.
For now, Prestianni’s immediate future sits between opportunity and consequence. His performances for Benfica have kept him relevant, his Argentina debut has already placed him on the international radar, but the FIFA decision has created a serious obstacle. If he is selected, he will travel knowing that his tournament cannot truly begin until Argentina have already played twice. If he is left out, the suspension may be remembered as one of the key reasons why a young player on the rise missed a major chance to accelerate his career.
Either way, the case has turned what should have been a purely sporting discussion into a more complex story. Prestianni remains one of the young Argentine players worth following, but the road to the World Cup has become far more complicated than expected.
