Kylian Mbappé delivered a firm response in the mixed zone following Real Madrid’s 1–0 victory over Benfica, shifting the focus away from the result and toward the racist abuse directed at Vinícius Júnior during the match.
The game was temporarily suspended in the second half after Vinícius reported comments made by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni. The referee activated the anti-racism protocol before play resumed.
Speaking to reporters afterward, Mbappé emphasized the responsibility players carry at the highest level of the sport.
“We have to set an example for all the children who look up to us; there are things we can’t accept. We shouldn’t generalize. I have Portuguese friends, they treat me very well, but when someone behaves like that, it has to be said. People don’t know what happened, and that’s why they booed us. I have nothing against Benfica, the club, or its coach, who for me is one of the best, and the club is the best in Portugal and one of the best in history. We can’t accept that a player who plays in Europe’s top competition behaves like that… this kid doesn’t deserve to play in the Champions League anymore, but we’ll see what happens. Let’s leave it to UEFA, who always try to do something. Now they have a serious case, and I hope they do something.”
Mbappé made clear that his comments were directed at the conduct of the individual involved rather than Benfica as an institution. He also questioned the idea that an apology would be sufficient.
“Did you see (Prestianni’s) face? An apology? We’re not stupid, there are things that… I’m not saying I’m perfect, but I don’t let that kind of thing slide. This player is young, how can you say these things on a football pitch? Now we have to see what happens. We were leaving, it was the team’s decision, I don’t know what happened, and then we came back. We’ve focused on what we’re doing, but today the important thing isn’t the match, there’s something more important than the match. This kind of person isn’t a colleague of mine, he shouldn’t play in the Champions League again.”
The French forward also described how the team handled the situation internally, making it clear that Vinícius was supported throughout.
“I asked Vini what he wanted to do. Whatever he wants to do, we’ll do it as a team. We’ll never leave Vini alone. We’ve supported our player. If something like that happens to you, how would you feel?”
Mbappé repeatedly stressed that, despite the importance of the Champions League result, the broader issue took precedence.
“That’s the problem, now this is the Champions League, we’ve won, but there’s something more important than football, we have to explain it so that young people understand it.”