During the Champions League play-off match between Benfica and Real Madrid, Vinicius Junior accused Gianluca Prestianni of making a racist remark towards him after scoring a goal. This resulted in the referee activating the anti-racism protocol, leading to a stoppage in play for 10 to 15 minutes. Vinicius Junior sat out the match temporarily in protest, illustrating the seriousness of the allegation.

In the aftermath of the incident, Prestianni denied the allegations on social media, and Benfica publicly stood by their player. However, Vinicius Junior took to Instagram to denounce the situation, labeling those who engage in racism as 'cowards,' which underscores the ongoing issues of racism within football and the necessity of standing against it. Kylian Mbappe's comments reflect a broader sentiment of support among players against racism.

The incident has sparked significant discussions in the football community, with many calling for stronger measures to address racism in the sport. Mbappe's reaction highlights the importance of solidarity among players in condemning racist behavior, which continues to plague football matches globally, calling for systemic changes not only in policies but also in cultural attitudes towards racism in sports.