Kylian Mbappe (in blue jersey) criticised Prestianni (in red jersey) over racial abuse
Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappé has cautioned Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni against joining his teammates at the Bernabéu for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League game on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
The match between Benfica and Real Madrid at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, was halted for 10 minutes after Vinícius Jr reported racial abuse by Prestianni to referee François Letexier.
Vinícius and his teammates temporarily left the field in protest.
‘He called Vinícius a monkey’ – Mbappé alleges racist remark by Benfica’s Prestianni
Replays showed the Argentine footballer lifting his jersey to cover his mouth while speaking to Vinícius Jr.
Although UEFA has launched an investigation into the incident, the French national team captain has insisted that it would be prudent for the right winger not to play in the second leg.
According to Mbappé, if football authorities take the racial abuse issue seriously, one of the appropriate actions should be barring Prestianni from playing while the probe continues, sending a strong signal to others.
He further asserted that given the tension surrounding the first game, allowing Prestianni to feature in the second leg could provoke hostility, and therefore he should not play.
“I believe Gianluca Prestianni shouldn’t come to the Bernabéu, the best stadium in the world. He doesn’t deserve it; he shouldn’t play,” Mbappé told TNT Sports in an interview.
Read the comment below:
🚨 Kylian Mbappé to TNT Sports: “I believe Gianluca Prestianni shouldn’t come to the Bernabéu, the best stadium in the world”.
“He doesn’t deserve it, he shouldn’t play”. pic.twitter.com/pwV4ce2lQ3
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 18, 2026
SB/MA
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