Mourinho breaks silence on Vinicius and Prestianni: “I was massacred by public opinion”
The Real Madrid coach revisited the controversy surrounding the alleged racist abuse of Vinicius Júnior and claimed he was unfairly targeted by critics and “opportunists.”
José Mourinho, now in charge of Real Madrid, has revisited the incident involving Vinicius Júnior and Gianluca Prestianni during February's Champions League clash between Benfica and the Spanish giants.
In an interview published by Italian newspaper Il Corriere dello Sport, the Portuguese coach said he had faced intense criticism over his response to an incident he described as completely beyond his control.
“It was difficult for us because, in the end, Prestianni was not disqualified for racism. I was massacred by public opinion, mainly by so many opportunists, in a situation that was absolutely uncontrollable,” Mourinho said.
At the time, Mourinho was coaching Benfica. He has since taken charge of Real Madrid, where he has been in charge for four months.
What happened between Vinicius Júnior and Gianluca Prestianni?
The controversy unfolded during Benfica's Champions League knockout-round clash against Real Madrid.
Play was stopped for approximately ten minutes after Vinicius Júnior reported that Gianluca Prestianni had directed racist insults at him.
The referee activated the anti-racism protocol following the Brazilian's complaint.
UEFA subsequently sanctioned Prestianni for “discriminatory conduct.”
Mourinho, however, maintained that the conflicting accounts made it difficult to establish exactly what had happened at the time.
“Nobody has proof”: Mourinho explains his position
The Portuguese manager recalled that Prestianni denied the allegations, leaving two different accounts of the incident.
According to Mourinho, that uncertainty prevented him from taking a definitive position.
“One player was saying the accusations weren't true,” he recalled.
“Nobody has proof. So you cannot take a position,” Mourinho added.
Despite the controversy, the Real Madrid coach also spoke warmly about both players.
He said one aspect of the situation he particularly appreciated was that “there was a fantastic kid there, and here there is another golden one,” referring to Prestianni and Vinicius Júnior, respectively.
Mourinho prepares for a special return to Rome
The comments come as Mourinho prepares for another European challenge with Real Madrid.
The Spanish club will travel to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on October 14 for Matchday 2 of the Champions League league phase.
It will be a special return for the Portuguese coach, who considers the Italian capital to be “like home.”
What Mourinho said about the Vinicius-Prestianni controversy
- Mourinho claimed he was “massacred by public opinion” and criticized what he described as opportunistic reactions to the incident.
- The coach said he could not take sides amid conflicting accounts, although UEFA subsequently sanctioned Prestianni for discriminatory conduct.
- Mourinho expressed admiration for both players as he prepares to return to Rome with Real Madrid in the Champions League.
