Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr has accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of directing a racial slur at him during Tuesday’s Champions League clash, issuing a statement branding racists “cowards.” The game was halted for 10 minutes after Vinicius reported the abuse to referee Francois Letexier, who activated FIFA’s anti-racism protocol.

In an Instagram statement, Vinicius wrote: “Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts over their mouths to demonstrate how weak they are.” Teammate Kylian Mbappe called for Prestianni to receive a lifetime Champions League ban, stating: “Prestianni clearly called Vini Jr a monkey, it happened five times. I saw that.

This is not acceptable… Prestianni should never play in the Champions League anymore.” Prestianni denied the allegations, claiming Vinicius “misunderstood what he thought he heard.” The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and Real Madrid players condemned the incident, with Trent Alexander-Arnold calling it “a disgrace to football.”

Key Points:

Vinicius’s powerful statement and Mbappe’s call for a lifetime ban escalate the response to alleged racism.
The incident tests UEFA’s resolve to impose meaningful sanctions beyond temporary match stoppages.
Vinicius receives global support, while Prestianni faces potential career-defining consequences.
This signals that players are demanding stronger action than current protocols provide.
The timing, with the return leg next week, keeps pressure on UEFA to act decisively.

Vinicius’s accusation and Mbappe’s demand for a lifetime ban intensify pressure on UEFA to deliver sanctions that match the gravity of alleged racist abuse.

Sources: GOAL, UEFA, Vinicius Jr/Instagram, CBF

Victor Osimhen provided two assists as Galatasaray demolished Juventus 5-2 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff at RAMS Park on Tuesday night. Gabriel Sara opened the scoring in the 15th minute, but Juventus responded with two goals from Teun Koopmeiners. Noah Lang equalised four minutes after the break before Davidson Sanchez restored Galatasaray’s lead on the hour mark.

The hosts capitalised after Juan Cabal was sent off in the 67th minute, with Osimhen assisting Lang and Sacha Boey for the final two goals to complete the 5-2 rout. The Nigerian striker’s dominant performance comes days after he revealed his toxic exit from Napoli. The return leg will be played in Turin next Wednesday.

Key Points:

Osimhen’s two assists demonstrate his playmaking ability alongside goalscoring threat.
The emphatic victory puts Galatasaray in commanding position to reach Champions League last 16.
Osimhen continues scintillating form, while Juventus face monumental comeback task.
This signals Galatasaray’s intent on the European stage with Osimhen as catalyst.
The timing, after his Napoli revelations, adds narrative weight to his performance.

Osimhen’s two assists powered Galatasaray to a 5-2 demolition of Juventus, giving the Turkish side a massive advantage ahead of next week’s return leg in Turin.

Sources: Daily Post Nigeria, UEFA