Álvaro Arbeloa, coach of Real Madrid, defended Vinícius Junior following a controversial match against Benfica, where Vinícius claimed he faced racist insults from Argentinian player Gianluca Prestianni. Arbeloa emphasized that the focus should remain on the incidents of racism rather than the comments made by others regarding Vinícius's reactions. He expressed it is crucial to use this moment as a teachable opportunity to prevent such incidents in the future.

During his comments, Arbeloa referred to José Mourinho's skepticism about Vinícius's claims, reinforcing the idea that the victim of such discrimination should not be dismissed or blamed as the provocateur. He stated that viewers of the match witnessed the racism directed at Vinícius, and the importance lies in recognizing and addressing such behavior rather than minimizing it. This incident highlights the ongoing struggles against racism in sports and emphasizes the necessity for accountability and support for victims.

Arbeloa also mentioned that Vinícius scored a fantastic goal during the match, celebrating it in a manner common among football players. He argued that celebrating a sport should not depend on a player's ethnicity, highlighting the unfairness of turning the victim into a suspect. This statement not only reflects Arbeloa's commitment to supporting players who face discrimination but also stresses the broader societal obligation to tackle racism within sports.