Kylian Mbappé took to social media to defend his fellow Brazilian player Vinicius Junior following allegations that Gianluca Prestianni from Benfica had made a racist comment, referring to Vinicius as 'monkey' during a Champions League match. The incident occurred after Vinicius scored a goal and celebrated with a dance, which appeared to provoke a confrontation with several Benfica players. The dispute escalated to the point where the referee intervened, issuing a yellow card to Vinicius for his celebration.

Mbappé's support for Vinicius was emphatic, urging him to continue dancing and not to let anyone dictate how he expresses himself on the field. He expressed solidarity using the hashtag 'BAILA' on social media, emphasizing the importance of cultural expression in soccer and the disdain towards racist behavior. This reaction comes amidst an ongoing discussion in the football community about racism and the necessary measures to address it, particularly at high-level competitions like the Champions League.

In light of these events, Mbappé's call for Prestianni's exclusion highlights the continuing challenges the sport faces in combating racism and ensuring that all players can participate free from discrimination and abuse. The response from fans, players, and institutions will be crucial in determining how effectively these issues are addressed in the future, as the need for accountability and anti-racist policies in sports becomes more pressing than ever.