The match between Benfica and Real Madrid encountered a significant controversy when, shortly after Vinícius scored the only goal of the game, a racist incident unfolded. The French referee François Letexier halted the game in the 52nd minute, signaling the start of UEFA's anti-racism protocol after Vinícius reported that he had been called a 'monkey' by Gonzalo Prestianni, an Argentinian player from Benfica. This serious accusation highlighted ongoing issues of racism in football and invoked immediate action from the officials present.

Earlier in the match, the Benfica fans reacted adversely to Vinícius's dance celebration near the corner flag following his goal, throwing objects onto the pitch in response. The situation escalated as Prestianni approached Vinícius while covering his mouth with his shirt, allegedly to say something to him, further fueling tensions on the field. Following the interruption, Vinícius took to social media to condemn the incident, stating that 'racists are first and foremost cowards,' stressing that he is no stranger to such situations of discrimination during his career.

This incident draws attention to the persistent prevalence of racism in football, sparking discussions on how leagues and organizations like UEFA address such issues. Vinícius's powerful response on social media galvanizes support from many who advocate for zero tolerance towards racism in sports, calling for more robust measures to ensure the safety and dignity of all players. The ensuing fallout from this match could influence policy changes as sports governing bodies are pressed to act decisively against racism.