Racism Uproar Halts Real Madrid's Victory in Champions League Clash

Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior accused an opponent of racial abuse during a Champions League match against Benfica, halting the game for nearly 10 minutes. The incident, which saw both teams and fans react vehemently, highlighted ongoing racism issues within football, drawing widespread condemnation and support for Vinícius.


Devdiscourse News Desk | Lisbon | Updated: 18-02-2026 09:19 IST | Created: 18-02-2026 09:19 IST
Racism Uproar Halts Real Madrid's Victory in Champions League Clash
Vinícius Júnior
  • Country:
  • Portugal

In a tense UEFA Champions League encounter, Real Madrid's forward Vinícius Júnior reported a racial insult from a Benfica opponent, halting the match for nearly 10 minutes at Lisbon's Stadium of Light. The incident erupted after Vinícius celebrated his goal, inciting anger from local fans.

Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold described the ordeal as a 'disgrace to football,' while Benfica's manager Jose Mourinho criticized Vinícius for provoking fans with his celebration. Despite the controversy, the match resumed, although marred by tensions and accusations.

Support flooded in for Vinícius, including from teammate Kylian Mbappé and the Brazilian soccer federation. The event reignited discussions on racism in football, prompting calls for stronger actions against discriminatory behaviors in the sport.

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