In the recent incident involving Vinícius Júnior against Benfica in the Champions League play‑off, multiple players and commentators alleged that he was subjected to a racist insult, specifically being called a “monkey.” The exact words are not fully captured on broadcast audio, but key witnesses have given a consistent version of what they believe was said.

What was reportedly said to Vini Jr

  • The flashpoint occurred just after Vinícius scored in the second half in Lisbon and was celebrating near the corner.
  • Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni approached him and spoke while covering his mouth with his shirt, making it impossible for cameras or lip‑readers to clearly verify the words.
  • Real Madrid players later alleged that Prestianni repeatedly called Vinícius a “monkey,” which is a racist slur in this context.
  • Commentator Mark Clattenburg said the referee was activating the protocol for a likely “racial comment,” even though the exact phrase was not publicly confirmed.

An example summary from one outlet described it this way: the opposing player “began to utter unacceptable words, then covered his mouth with his jersey to evade the cameras, repeatedly calling Vini a monkey.”

How different sides are framing it

  • Vinícius Jr and Real Madrid players:
    • Vinícius reported to the referee that he had been racially abused during or immediately after his celebration.
* Teammates such as Aurélien Tchouaméni and others publicly backed his account, calling the situation a “disgrace” and saying racist abuse had taken place.

* Some teammates emphasized that hiding the mouth with the shirt suggested the intention to say something offensive that could not be easily proven later.
  • Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica):
    • Prestianni has publicly denied using any racist slur.
* He stated that Vinícius “misinterpreted what he thought he heard” and insisted he has “never been racist towards anyone,” also saying he regrets the threats he received after the match.
  • Officials and pundits:
    • The referee followed UEFA’s three‑step protocol for racist incidents after Vinícius complained, briefly halting the game.
* Alan Shearer, commenting on UK coverage, stressed that viewers “don’t know what’s been said to him” but that the situation clearly left Vinícius furious and emotional.

* Mark Clattenburg described it as being treated as a likely racial comment based on the referee’s actions and the players’ reactions.

What is actually confirmed vs alleged

  • Confirmed:
    • There was a confrontation between Vinícius Jr and Prestianni after Vinícius’ goal.
* Prestianni covered his mouth while speaking to Vinícius.

* Vinícius complained to the referee and temporarily left the pitch; the match was stopped under the racism protocol.

* UEFA has opened an investigation into alleged racist abuse.
  • Alleged (not independently verified on audio):
    • That Prestianni explicitly and repeatedly called Vinícius a “monkey.” This is the version put forward by some Madrid players and reported by several outlets, but denied by Prestianni and not yet conclusively proven in public.

Because of the ongoing investigation and lack of clear audio, what was said to Vini Jr is officially categorized as an alleged racist remark, widely reported as the slur “monkey,” strongly asserted by Vinícius and his teammates, and firmly denied by the Benfica player accused.

TL;DR:

  • Reports say Vini Jr was called a racist slur, specifically “monkey,” during his goal celebration against Benfica.
  • Vinícius and Real Madrid players insist this happened; the accused player, Gianluca Prestianni, denies it and says he was misunderstood.
  • UEFA and authorities are investigating, and there is no publicly available audio that definitively proves the exact words yet.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.