Lewis Hamilton has sent a message of support to Vinicius Jr after the Real Madrid footballer said he was racially abused during a Champions League match. The Brazil forward complained to referee Francois Letexier during Los Blancos’ Champions League clash with Benfica on Tuesday night following an altercation with Argentine winger Gianluca Prestianni.
It happened after Vini Jr opened the scoring at the Estadia da Luz, following which he celebrated the goal in front of the home fans which angered some Benfica players and led to the referee showing him a yellow card. He was then confronted by Prestianni who was seen covering his mouth with his shirt before speaking to Vini Jr.
The Madrid star then ran to Letexier to report a racist comment and the referee stopped the game, which eventually resumed and finished 1-0 to the visitors. Following the match, Prestianni posted a statement on social media, shared by the official Benfica account, in which he denied making a racist comment and claimed Vini Jr “regrettably misunderstood what he thought he heard”.
Regardless, governing body UEFA confirmed on Wednesday that it had appointed a disciplinary panel to assess “allegations of disciminatory behaviour” during the match. And seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton was among the high-profile stars to share a public message of support for Vini Jr.
Posting on his Instagram story, honorary Brazilian citizen Hamilton tagged the Real Madrid star and wrote: “We are with you,” alongside a photo of Vini Jr. He posted while waiting in the paddock at the Bahrain International Circuit for his turn behind the wheel of his new Ferrari Formula 1 car at the final round of pre-season testing before the 2026 campaign begins next month.
Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.
Vini Jr has also posted on social media himself, writing: “Racists are, above all, cowards. They need to put their shirts over their mouths to demonstrate how weak they are. But they have, on their side, the protection of others who, theoretically, have the obligation to punish. Nothing that happened here today was new in my life and my family’s.
“I received a yellow card for celebrating a goal. I still don’t understand why. On the other hand, just a poorly executed protocol that served no purpose. I don’t like appearing in situations like this, even more so after a great victory and when the headlines have to be about Real Madrid, but it’s necessary.”
And Real Madrid team-mate Kylian Mbappe said in a post-match interview: “I know everything, I will explain everything that happened. Vinicius scored a goal – an amazing goal – he goes to dance and the people boo him. That’s something that happens in football. After that, there’s a moment of tension with the Benfica players. It’s better if it doesn’t happen, but this can happen too.
“After that, Benfica’s number 25 – I don’t want to say his name because he doesn’t deserve it – starts to talk badly. You don’t accept it but, again, it happens in football and it will continue to happen. He put his shirt here [over his mouth] to say Vinicius is a ****** five times. I heard it. There are Benfica players who heard it as well. And after that point, everything you have seen started.”