Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni denies ‘ugly’ racism claims
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Benfica's Argentinian winger Gianluca Prestianni hiding his mouth while arguing with Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr, who complained about alleged racists insults during the Champions League knockout round play-off, first-leg football match at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon on Feb 17, 2026.
PHOTO: AFP
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Buenos Aires – Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni claimed on April 1 that he had been punished “without evidence” following accusations that he racially abused Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr.
The 20-year-old Argentinian was accused of making a racist insult towards the Brazilian during a Champions League tie in February, while covering his mouth with his jersey.
The referee stopped the match for 10 minutes and the player was subsequently suspended for the second leg by UEFA, which opened an investigation.
If UEFA finds he abused Vinicius then he will be banned for at least 10 matches.
Real Madrid progressed 3-1 on aggregate to reach the Champions League last 16.
Prestianni told Argentine broadcaster Telefe that missing the second leg in Madrid “hurt a lot” and denied making the insult.
“I was thinking about my father, my mother, my grandparents, about the fact that so many things were being said that don’t reflect who I am and that didn’t happen,” he said in his first interview since the incident.
“It’s ugly and it hurts a lot.”
He said he was “very grateful” to his club and his teammates for their internal support, and said that his coach, Jose Mourinho, was “a phenomenon”.
Mourinho was criticised after seeming to indicate that Vinicius provoked the alleged abuse with his goal celebration after scoring in the first leg.
The Benfica coach later clarified his position, assuring that if the accusations of racism were confirmed by the investigation, the Argentinian would never play for him again.
Prestianni was called up by Argentina for friendlies played on March 27 and March 31.
“I work day in, day out to make this opportunity arrive,” the winger said, adding that his greatest dream was to play in a World Cup with the Albiceleste.
Argentina might be holders but the team they beat in the World Cup final in 2022 could head to the June 11-July 19 tournament top of the FIFA rankings.
France have overtaken Spain to regain the No. 1 spot in the world standings for the first time since September 2018.
Impressive wins in friendlies in March against Brazil and Colombia moved France up two spots in the rankings released on April 1.
Spain dropped to No. 2 and Argentina slipped one spot to No. 3. England held steady at No. 4 and Portugal climbed one spot to close out the top five.
Spain had occupied the top spot since September 2025 but are coming off a goal-less draw against Egypt on March 31.
Brazil fell one spot to No. 6, with the Netherlands, Morocco, Belgium and Germany rounding out the top 10.
The 2026 World Cup co-hosts Mexico moved up a spot to No. 15, switching places with the US at No. 16. Canada are ranked 30th.
Thirty-seven of the 48 teams set to compete this summer in North America are ranked in the top 50. Only three of the top 30 will miss the World Cup: No. 12 Italy, No. 20 Denmark and No. 26 Nigeria. AFP, REUTERS
