Real Madrid’s opening leg of the UEFA Champions League playoffs against Benfica in Lisbon was a tense event on numerous levels, to the point where non-football issues overshadowed the game and took the limelight.
Tensions remained high throughout the game, from Vinicius Jr.’s celebration to on-field racial slurs and clashes involving players and even staff members from both teams.
However, Real Madrid eventually took a 1-0 lead, which was boosted by the fact that Vinicius scored the goal. After all, the winger drew the most attention and debate on the night.
Inter Milan great weighs in
Speaking to the media after the game, former Real Madrid attacking midfielder Wesley Sneijder discussed the altercation between Vinicius Jr. and Gianluca Prestianni, stating that the Benfica player’s actions are just wrong.
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“Prestianni should be a man and not conceal his mouth while speaking to Vinicius. If you’re going to say something, at least do it without covering your lips.
He then stated unequivocally that racism has no place in football and that continuing to call darker-skinned footballers insults reflects poorly on the sport.
“It is a travesty that people continue to nickname black people ‘Monkey’!
“Oh, there’s something else. Prestianni actually has black teammates! “What on earth will they be thinking?” he continued.
Sneijder then discussed the incident between Nicolas Otamendi and Vinicius Jr., in which, following a brief altercation, the former showed the Real Madrid player his FIFA World Cup, Copa America, and Finalissima tattoos.
“If I were Vinícius, I would have responded with ‘Messi won that World Cup for you, you had nothing to do with it’,” he added.
Speaking on Otamendi’s juvenile reaction, the Dutch great stated,
“Why does he do this to a Real Madrid player? Does he know how many CL titles Vinícius has won? “And he is showing him trophies?”
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