19/02/2026

Read

iPaper at Malaysian Paper

www.thesun.my Free access to iPaper PDF Download

app from the App Store or Google Play TM . Malaysian Paper or download

SCAN ME

SCAN ME

THURSDAY | FEB 19, 2026

Malaysian Paper

Real shame

Vinícius Junior (left) celebrates after scoring the winning goal with Kylian Mbappe during the Champions League playoff first leg match against Benfica in Lisbon yesterday. – vinijr/Instagram

Madrid’s Vinicius hits out at ‘cowards’ after racism storm against Benfica

M ATCH-WINNER Vinicius Junior hit out at “cowards” after accusing Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racially abusing him during Real Madrid’s 1-0 Champions League playoff first leg victory in Lisbon on Tuesday. The game was stopped for more than 10 minutes due to a racism protocol after Vinicius complained to French referee Francois Letexier about the alleged abuse following a confrontation between him and Prestianni. That came just moments after the 25 year-old Brazilian had scored a wonder goal worthy of settling any contest. “Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts over their mouths to show how weak they are,” Vinicius wrote on Instagram in reference to Prestianni having hidden his mouth with his jersey during the pair’s clash. “But they have, at their side, the pro tection of others who, theoretically, are obligated to punish,” he added after the racism protocol did not lead to any con crete action against Benfica’s Argentine midfielder. “Nothing that happened today should be tolerated in my life or my family’s. “I don’t like to speak out in situations like this, especially after a big victory when the headlines should be about Real Madrid, but it’s necessary.” Vinicius had just scored the only goal of the game in the 50th minute when he provoked the ire of Benfica fans, and some players, by celebrating in front of the home crowd in Lisbon. After arguing with Prestianni, Vinicius ran over to Letexier and told the Frenchman – who had booked him for his celebrations – that he had been called mono , the Spanish word for mon key, by the Argentine. Real’s England full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold said the incident had left a sour taste in the mouth. “I think what has happened tonight is a disgrace to football and overshadowed the performance, as well as an amazing goal,” said Alexander Arnold. “Vini has been subject to this a few times throughout his career. To ruin a night like this for our team is a dis grace. There is no place for it in football or society. It is disgusting.” Real forward Kylian Mbappe called on Prestianni to be banned. “Nothing like this has ever happened to me, and in these kinds of important

matters, it’s important to speak very clearly and not to speak in generalities,” France forward Mbappe said. “I have the utmost respect for Benfica and their coach, who is one of the best in history and who made history with Real Madrid. But, in my opinion, this player doesn’t deserve to play in the Champions League anymore. “We cannot accept that a player who plays in Europe’s top competition behaves like this. This guy doesn’t deserve to play in the Champions League anymore, but we’ll see what happens. “Let’s leave it to Uefa, who always try to do something. Now they have a seri ous case, and I hope they do something.” Real captain Federico Valverde said he was proud of how Vinicius had han dled himself in the circumstances. “I don’t know what he (Prestianni) said, but all the teammates who were close by said he said something ugly, something he shouldn’t say,” Valverde told Movistar . “If you cover your mouth to say something it’s because he’s saying something that’s not good,” added Valverde. “In the end I’m proud of the team mates that defended Vini, proud of Vini who kept on going, played a spectacular game and that’s what I’ll remember from him.” Vinicius, 25, has been targeted with racial abuse during his time in Spain on several occasions by opposition fans. Four Atletico Madrid ultras were handed suspended jail sentences in June last year for hanging a dummy of Vinicius from a bridge in what police deemed a “hate crime”, among several other court convictions. In May 2023, Vinicius squared off with fans at Valencia’s Mestalla stadium after being racially abused. “It’s been happening for a long time. Many people have fought (against) this, Vini is one of those who have fought about this, and it keeps happening,” added Valverde. Some Benfica fans pelted Real play ers with projectiles as they celebrated Vinicius’s goal. The whole incident sparked angry clashes between the two benches, with Letexier showing a red card to a member of the Real backroom staff. After a break of more than 10 min utes, due to Letexier implementing the racism protocol, the match resumed, with Real comfortably seeing out the vic tory. – AFP/Agencies

‘Why always him?’

Doue inspires PSG

- Story on page 30 pa

- Story on page 29

theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2625 Email: newsdesk@thesundaily.com • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Email: advertise@thesundaily.com