The Champions League playoff match between Benfica and Real Madrid experienced an interruption when Vinicius Junior, the Brazilian forward, allegedly faced racist insults from rival player Gianluca Prestianni. The incident occurred shortly after Vinicius scored a goal, prompting him to celebrate in front of the Benfica fans, which sparked a heated exchange with players from the opposing team. Referee François Letexier issued a yellow card to Vinicius for his celebration, but he decided to pause the game to address Vinicius's concerns regarding the racist comments directed at him.

During the brief stoppage, Vinicius approached the referee to report the incident, directing attention to Prestianni as the source of the insults. However, despite the serious nature of the allegations, the referee ultimately chose to resume the match without imposing further disciplinary actions. This incident reflects ongoing issues of racism in football and has sparked discussions about how such cases are handled during matches, particularly at the highest levels of competition.

The game resumed after the interruption, and the teams are set to meet again for a second leg in Spain on the 25th. This match not only holds significance for the UEFA Champions League standings but also serves as a reminder of the rampant racism issues that persist in sports, necessitating continuous scrutiny and action from governing bodies, clubs, and players themselves.