Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe told the media that Gianluca Prestianni should not play again in the Champions League. The French star has given his version of events following the racist incident towards Vinicius Junior from the Benfica midfielder.
Vinicius had just put Real Madrid ahead at the Estadio da Luz, with a stunning effort into the top corner five minutes after the break. The Brazilian player was then booked for his events to motivate the crowd, but the conflicts with the Benfica players continued. Prestianni appeared to say something to Vinicius, after which he ran to the referee, and the anti-discrimination procedure was activated.
Mbappe: Prestianni should not play in the Champions League again
After this incident, one of the most angry players is Mbappe. He told Movistar+ that Prestianni should not play again in this tournament.
“We have to set an example for the children. This is the Champions League, the tournament that I dreamed of when I was a child, that I watched with my parents when I was a child … and there are things that we will not accept. Because the world is watching us. We should not just talk, because that is a problem when these kinds of things happen. I have Portuguese friends and teammates, and if someone behaves well, he behaves well, and he behaves very well, and he behaves very well.”
🗣️ “There is no ijugar más la Champions. Hay que hacer algo”.
Mbappé, sobre Prestianni. #UCL #LaCasaDelFútbol pic.twitter.com/2tSjTXqQjK
– Movistar Plus+ Deports (@MPlusDeportes) February 17, 2026
“Then, we were scolded, which is normal, because they don’t know what happened; I have nothing against the fans, the club, or its coach, one of the best players in history. But something must be done. We will not accept such a player playing in the Champions League; he does not deserve it. But we will see what happens. Let UEFA make decisions. It is a serious case.
‘He called him a monkey five times’ – Mbappe
Mbappe went on to confirm that Prestianni was racially abusing Vinicius, and explained what he was saying.
“What I saw was very clear: player number 25 has told Vini five times, ‘You are a monkey.’ In the end, everyone will have their own opinion. I’m trying to come here and give an explanation, because when you were there, it’s impossible to know what’s going on. And our job is to provide as much information as possible. We all have to pull in the same direction… we cannot accept this kind of behavior. It’s great to play in the Champions League, a competition that’s exciting for everyone. But this kind of image is bad.”
Prestianni never apologized to Vinicius either, according to Mbappe.
“No! but did you see his face?! I understand the people who were on the field, that’s why I come calmly. I’m not stupid, I tell you. I’m not perfect, I’m doing something wrong; but I won’t stop this. Can’t these players … and this one, on top of that, when he’s young … say something like that?
‘We thought about leaving the field’ – Mbappe
The match was halted for around 10 minutes, while the anti-racism rule was applied, before Real Madrid’s players finally got back to work. Mbappe explained that they thought about leaving the game.
“We thought of leaving, that’s why we left. Then a lot of things happened and we came back. We stayed focused on the game and won; but the game is not important today, there are more important things than football tonight”
“I said: “What do you want to do? Because I said at the press conference before the Monaco match that we will not leave him alone.”
‘He loves racism’ – Mbappe on Prestianni
Cameras also captured Mbappe calling Prestianni racist during the match after the match had started. Mbappe confirmed that is what he said after the game.
— Follow @MMajeedX – @RM4Arab (@mmtvcl01) February 17, 2026
“I told him, because that’s what I think. I think you guys have the best cameras; nothing happens unless people see you. So analyze his face, look at his face; his face doesn’t lie. Because he was smart, he covered his lips with his shirt so we couldn’t see what he said. But the face doesn’t lie. Look at his face and his right competition in Europe.
“Eres un p*** racista”.
Mbappé, Prestianni.#UCL #LaCasaDelFútbol pic.twitter.com/7dKvG2LgNH
– Movistar Plus+ Deports (@MPlusDeportes) February 17, 2026
Infamously, this is not the first time that Vinicius has been racially abused while playing for Real Madrid, but it is the first time that he has accused another player of being the perpetrator. If the anti-racism law comes into play, UEFA will be forced to investigate. Jose Mourinho commented after the game that Prestianni told him he didn’t say what he was accused of.
