Football fans around the world were once again shaken when Vinicius Jr accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racially abusing him after his winning goal in Real Madrid’s 1-0 UEFA Champions League victory on 17 February 2026.
The match was paused for around 10–11 minutes under UEFA’s anti-racism protocol as Vinícius reported hearing a racial slur, allegedly the Spanish word for “monkey,” while Prestianni covered his mouth. UEFA has opened an investigation, and the incident has reignited global debate over racism in the sport.
Yet this latest episode is only the most recent chapter in a long and troubling history of abuse the Brazilian forward has faced since joining European football in 2018.
Vini Jr. and his unending battle of football racism
Over the past five years, Vinícius has been the target of numerous racist incidents, at least 15 before the Benfica game, according to reporting and compiled timelines from major outlets.
In October 2021, during a high-profile El Clásico at Camp Nou, a supporter shouted “monkey” at Vinícius as he walked off the pitch, an incident that La Liga reported but was ultimately dropped due to a lack of identification of the offender.
In March 2022, fans at a Mallorca match made monkey noises and told him to “go and get some bananas,” prompting a formal complaint by La Liga.
Race-based chants continued, including at derbies with Atlético Madrid where chants of “you’re a monkey” were heard outside the Metropolitano Stadium in September 2022. Days before that derby, a Spanish television pundit controversially warned Vinícius that he would “have problems” if he continued dancing his celebrations — comments widely criticised for fueling a hostile environment.
At a Real Valladolid match in December 2022, fans shouted racist slurs as Vinícius returned to the bench. This case later led to legal consequences for offenders.
In January 2023, an inflatable effigy wearing his Real Madrid shirt was hung from a bridge in Madrid alongside a threatening banner, a shockingly symbolic act of hatred that resulted in arrests and subsequent sentences.
February 2023 saw further abuse during matches against Mallorca and Osasuna, where racist insults were captured on broadcast microphones. Formal complaints were filed in both cases.
The most explosive incident came in May 2023 at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium, where monkey chants were clearly audible, and Vinícius confronted the crowd mid-match. The anti-racism protocol was activated, and several fans were later identified, prosecuted, and handed stadium bans in a landmark ruling.
Incidents continued throughout late 2023 and 2024, including racist gestures during a match against Sevilla, reported chants during an Atletico Madrid fixture, and abuse directed at an eight-year-old girl wearing a Vinícius shirt outside a stadium, which reportedly left the child distressed.
In 2025, additional complaints emerged, including racist chanting during away fixtures and objects thrown toward the pitch.
More recently, just before the 17th February incident, in January 2026, police identified a fan who threw a banana peel at Vinícius during a Copa del Rey match in Spain. This is another stark reminder of how persistent the problem remains.
Vinícius has not stayed silent. He has repeatedly condemned these attacks, called out governing bodies for insufficient action, and become one of the most prominent voices against racism in football.
Brazil made his fight a law — The Vini Jr. Law
The impact of his struggle has gone beyond football stadiums. In June 2023, the city of Rio de Janeiro passed what is now widely known as the “Vini Jr. Law” (Lei Vini Jr.). This was a legislation, inspired directly by the racial abuse he endured in Spain.
The law requires sporting events to be stopped, and potentially suspended altogether, if racist acts occur. It also establishes clearer reporting mechanisms for victims and mandates awareness campaigns inside stadiums to educate fans about discrimination.
More than a symbolic gesture, the law represents institutional recognition that racism in sport demands a structural response, not just condemnation. While Vinícius continues to fight battles on European pitches, his name now stands behind a legal framework in Brazil designed to protect future generations of athletes.
But the real question remains: will football globally follow that example? Until decisive and consistent action becomes the norm rather than the exception, Vinícius Júnior’s story will remain not just about talent — but about resilience in the face of relentless prejudice.
