Paraguay’s national team legend and former Real Zaragoza goalkeeper defended Argentine Gianluca Prestianni, the winger for Portugal’s Benfica, following allegations that he directed racist abuse at Real Madrid’s Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior, saying that football is a sport for men.
During the match where Real Madrid visited Benfica, Vinicius scored the only goal for the Spanish team before play was halted for about ten minutes due to the Brazilian player’s complaint of alleged racist abuse. Meanwhile, the referee sent off a member of the technical staff of Benfica’s manager, according to reports.
Vinicius insults everyone
Regarding his opinion on the incident, the Paraguayan legend stated in comments to a radio station: “I stand with Prestianni because Vinicius is the first one to insult everyone. If you look at the footage, you will see that the first insult came from the black-skinned player.”
He called on Benfica to protect Prestianni, stressing that UEFA should not punish the Argentine, pointing out that football is for men.
He continued: “The problem is very deep. The world we live in today lacks memory. There was a match between Brazil and Spain and a Netflix camera was there filming Vinicius’s documentary, and he said while crying that he wants black people to live better in football. This means he himself was discriminating. Do you want us white people to live badly?”
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He also attacked Frenchman Kylian Mbappe, who defended his teammate Vinicius, saying: “Mbappe talks about values and everything, but he lives with a transgender man. That is not normal. Everyone can do what they want with their life, but it is not normal for a man to live with a transgender man.”
Paraguay
Paraguay is a landlocked South American nation with a history shaped by its indigenous Guarani heritage and Spanish colonization, gaining independence in 1811. A significant cultural site is the Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavarangue, which are UNESCO World Heritage ruins showcasing the unique blend of European and indigenous cultures during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Real Zaragoza
Real Zaragoza is a professional Spanish football club based in Zaragoza, Aragon, founded on 18 March 1932 from the merger of earlier local clubs. It has a notable history, having won six Copa del Rey titles and the 1964 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, and it spent 58 consecutive seasons in Spain’s top division until 2013.
Gianluca Prestianni
Gianluca Prestianni is a professional Argentine footballer, born in 2006, who plays as a winger. He began his career in the youth academy of Vélez Sarsfield before making his professional debut for the club and later transferring to Benfica in Portugal. He is widely regarded as one of Argentina’s most promising young talents.
Portugal
Portugal is a country in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula, with a history deeply shaped by exploration. It established a vast maritime empire beginning in the 15th century, becoming a major global power. Its cultural heritage is reflected in landmarks like the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon and the historic centre of Porto.
Benfica
Benfica is a historic Lisbon neighborhood most famous for being the home of Sport Lisboa e Benfica, one of Portugal’s most successful football clubs, founded in 1904. The area’s modern identity is deeply intertwined with the club’s history and its iconic Estádio da Luz stadium.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain, founded in 1902. It is one of the world’s most successful and famous sports organizations, historically renowned for its European success, including a record number of UEFA Champions League titles. The club plays its home matches at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, which has been its iconic home since 1947.
Vinicius Junior
Vinicius Junior is a Brazilian professional footballer who currently plays as a forward for Real Madrid and the Brazil national team. He joined Real Madrid in 2018 from Flamengo and has since become a key player, renowned for his dribbling skills and pace, and playing a pivotal role in the club’s 2022 UEFA Champions League victory.
Brazil
Brazil is the largest country in South America, known for its vast Amazon rainforest and vibrant cultural exports like samba and football. Its modern history began with Portuguese colonization in 1500, followed by independence as an empire in 1822 and the establishment of a republic in 1889. The nation is characterized by its diverse population, a mix of Indigenous, European, African, and Asian influences.
Spain
Spain is a country in southwestern Europe with a rich and complex history shaped by successive influences, including Roman rule, Islamic Al-Andalus, and the unification of the Catholic kingdoms in the late 15th century. Its cultural heritage is globally renowned, from historic landmarks like the Alhambra and Sagrada Família to traditions such as flamenco and regional festivals.
Netflix
Netflix is an American subscription-based streaming service founded in 1997, originally as a DVD-by-mail rental company. It revolutionized the entertainment industry by pioneering a streaming model in 2007, leading to its current status as a major global producer and distributor of films and television series.
FIFA
FIFA, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, is the international governing body for association football, founded in Paris in 1904. Its primary role is to oversee major international tournaments, most notably the FIFA World Cup, which it first organized in 1930.
UEFA
UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) is the administrative and governing body for association football in Europe, founded in 1954 in Basel, Switzerland. It organizes prestigious club and national team competitions, most notably the UEFA Champions League and the European Championship.
Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappé is not a place or cultural site; he is a French professional footballer. He rose to prominence at AS Monaco before joining Paris Saint-Germain, and he was a key player in France’s 2018 FIFA World Cup victory.
