Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni has decided to travel to Spain with the Portuguese club’s squad for their Champions League Round of 16 second-leg match against Real Madrid.
UEFA had previously banned the Argentine player from participating in the match against Real Madrid following accusations by Vinicius Junior that he directed racist abuse at the Argentine during the first leg.
Although the 20-year-old will not be playing in the second leg, he has decided to support his team at the Santiago Bernabéu, potentially escalating tensions at Real Madrid’s home ground.
Prestianni insists he did not direct racist insults at Vinicius, and he is supported by the Benfica management and coach José Mourinho. His supporters want him to be seen and involved in all events, especially given the intense campaign against him and calls for his complete removal from the public eye.
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé had called for Prestianni to be banned from the Champions League, arguing that he didn’t deserve the honor of playing at the Santiago Bernabéu, one of the most prestigious stadiums in football history.
UEFA is currently investigating the incident, and while the initial suspension was likely intended to prevent potential provocations on the pitch, it seems that wasn’t enough, as the player will be watching from the stands. It remains to be seen how the Madrid fans present at the Bernabéu will react to him.
