After the Champions League match between Benfica and Real Madrid, which Real Madrid won 1-0, Gianluca Prestianni faced accusations of making racist insults towards Vinicius Junior. In response to these allegations, Prestianni took to Instagram to clarify that he did not use the term "monkey" as claimed by Vinicius and several Real Madrid players. He expressed that he has never been racist and regretted the threats he received from Real Madrid players.

The incident occurred shortly after the match at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. Following the game, several Real Madrid players defended Vinicius and condemned Prestianni's supposed behavior, emphasizing that no player should face racism in any form, especially in such a prestigious tournament. This incident has caught significant media attention, highlighting the ongoing issues of racism in sports.

This controversy not only affects the players involved but also raises broader implications regarding racism in football and how such accusations are handled. The player’s denial and the defensive stance taken by Real Madrid illustrate the serious nature of racism in sports, as teams and players navigate their responses to uphold integrity in light of these claims. The situation remains fluid as all parties involved are under scrutiny from fans, media, and sports organizations.