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Jose Mourinho reflects on Benfica’s emotional fallout after defeat to Real Madrid, amid racist abuse allegations involving Vinicius Junior and Gianluca Prestianni.
Benfica boss Jose Mourinho (AFP)
Jose Mourinho has finally spoken. But if there was an expectation of clarity or contrition, it never quite arrived.
The Benfica manager admitted it has been difficult to deal with the fallout from Tuesday’s defeat to Real Madrid — a match overshadowed by allegations of racist abuse and fierce scrutiny of his own post-game remarks.
“The game was truly demanding, in every aspect,” Mourinho said.
“Until the 50th minute, it was a game of maximum intensity, both physically and tactically, requiring the concentration needed to play a game of that level. But I also have to acknowledge that from the 50th minute until now, and this won’t end our conversation, it hasn’t been easy to manage emotionally everything that has happened and continues to happen.”
What he did not do was directly address the controversy that has dominated headlines.
The Allegations
The storm began when Vinicius Junior accused Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni of directing a racist slur at him during the game in Lisbon. Prestianni, 20, denies the allegation, and Benfica have stood firmly behind him, claiming he is the victim of a “smear campaign.”
The match was halted under anti-racism protocol. Mourinho himself was sent off.
But it was his post-game comments that intensified the backlash.
“There is something wrong because it happens in every stadium. Where Vinicius plays, something happens, always,” Mourinho said, remarks widely criticised for appearing to shift attention from the allegation to the player.
Pressed further on whether Vinícius had provoked supporters with his celebration, Mourinho replied: “Yes. I believe so.”
Focus on Football
In his latest press conference, there was no attempt to revisit or clarify those statements.
Instead, Mourinho stressed the emotional toll of recent days and turned his focus to Saturday’s league fixture against AVS Futebol SAD.
Prestianni will miss the game through suspension, and Mourinho hopes his squad can block out the noise.
February 20, 2026, 22:52 IST
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