Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has defended team-mate Vinicius Jr following allegations of racist abuse during last week’s Champions League first-leg clash against Benfica in Portugal, insisting that a goal celebration can never be used to excuse discrimination.
The controversy unfolded after Vinicius scored a spectacular winner to secure a 1-0 victory for the Spanish side in the knockout round encounter. Shortly after finding the net, the Brazilian forward alleged that he was racially abused by Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni. The 20-year-old Argentine has denied the accusation but has since received a one-match provisional suspension from Uefa, ruling him out of Wednesday’s return fixture in Madrid while a full investigation continues.
Vinicius was shown a yellow card for celebrating in front of Benfica supporters after scoring. Speaking after the game, Benfica manager Jose Mourinho criticised the forward’s actions, suggesting the celebration provoked the crowd.
“Unfortunately [he was] not just happy to score that astonishing goal. When you score a goal like that, you celebrate in a respectful way,” Mourinho said.
Courtois was later asked about those remarks from his former Chelsea manager. In response, he said: “Mourinho is Mourinho and, as a coach, you’ll always defend your club.
“But it bothers me that Vinicius’ celebration is being used against him.
“Vini didn’t do anything bad. He celebrated the same way many rivals have celebrated against us.
“It happened, and we can’t justify a suspected act of racism because of a celebration. I think we have to be less stupid as a society.”
Mourinho, who will not be on the touchline for the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu due to a suspension following his dismissal later in the match, said he had received conflicting accounts from the two players involved. According to the Portuguese coach, Vinicius and Prestianni offered different explanations regarding the alleged incident.
Courtois was also invited to respond to comments made by Benfica president Rui Costa, who publicly backed Prestianni. Costa stated that the Argentine “is not racist” and suggested he had been unfairly targeted, describing him as “being crucified.” The Real Madrid goalkeeper declined to engage directly with those remarks but made his stance clear regarding his team-mate.
“Vini has never said anything like that, so I’m 100% sure he heard it,” said the Belgian.
“I believe him completely. Since he’s keeping quiet, we’ll never know for sure, but there’s not much more we can do.”
The match itself was temporarily halted for approximately 10 minutes after Vinicius reported the alleged abuse to referee Francois Letexier. During the stoppage, Real Madrid players briefly left the pitch before returning. Courtois explained that the squad had been prepared to take a firm position but ultimately resumed play at Vinicius’ request.
Courtois said Real were ready to “stand their ground,” but agreed to complete the game after Vinicius indicated he wanted to continue.
Beyond the on-field confrontation, there were also reports of racist gestures from sections of the crowd inside the Estadio da Luz. Courtois addressed those incidents as well, arguing that stronger measures should be taken when such behaviour occurs.
“The other things that happened in the stands, in my opinion, warrant stopping the match and kicking those people out,” he said.
“As footballers, we don’t see everything, but it happens when we’re focused on the game. There have to be people in charge who see that.
“There’s a Benfica security guard who’s two metres away and he has to act. We can keep improving in these areas… and stop being so foolish.”
Uefa has since confirmed that Prestianni has been provisionally sanctioned pending the outcome of a full inquiry by an ethics and disciplinary inspector. The governing body noted that additional penalties could follow depending on the findings of that investigation.
Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa has called on European football’s governing body to treat the matter as a defining moment in its fight against discrimination. He urged decisive action rather than symbolic gestures.
“We have a great opportunity to mark a turning point in the fight against racism,” Arbeloa said.
“Uefa, which has always been and has led this fight against racism, now has the chance not to leave it at just a slogan, at just a nice banner before matches, and I hope that they seize this opportunity.”
With tensions high ahead of the second leg in Madrid, the focus now turns both to the decisive match and to Uefa’s investigation, which could carry broader implications for how European football addresses allegations of racism in the game.