Jose Mourinho criticised after claiming Vinicius Jr ‘incited’ racism row

The Benfica boss claimed that the Brazilian’s goal celebration was not respectful before the match was paused over a racist incident SportFootballJose Mourinho criticised after claiming Vinicius Jr ‘incited’ racism rowThe Benfica boss claimed that the Brazilian’s goal celebration was not respectful before the match was paused over a racist incidentMichael Jones Wednesday 18 February 2026 08:22 GMTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popoveropen image in galleryJose Mourinho believes Vinicius Jr 'incited' Benfica's players and fans (AP)Your support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. 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We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreJose Mourinho was criticised by Clarence Seedorf after appearing to suggest that Vinicius Jr had provoked racist abuse by celebrating his goal for Real Madrid against Benfica in the Champions League and inciting the scenes that followed. Real Madrid forward Vinicius had sent Madrid into the lead in Lisbon with a superb strike in the early stages of the second half before dancing by the corner flag in front of the home supporters. He was booked by the referee for an excessive celebration. Before the match resumed, Vinicius exchanged words with Benfica’s Ginaluca Prestianni and reported the player to the referee over an alleged racist remark. open image in galleryGianluca Prestianni hides his mouth while arguing with Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr (AFP via Getty Images)In a statement on Instagram, Benfica winger Prestianni said he had not directed racist insults at Vinicius who he said had "regrettably misunderstood what he thought he heard".But the match was paused for 11 minutes, as the referee followed Fifa’s racist abuse protocols, with Mourinho seen talking to several Madrid players, including Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe, as tensions rose in the stadium.Mourinho was later sent off for demanding a second booking for Vinicius after a foul from the Brazilian. Mourinho stormed towards the fourth official but was himself cautioned for his protests, but continued remonstrating and was promptly shown a second yellow card. RecommendedIgnore Jose Mourinho’s disgraceful response — on Vinicius Jr’s racism allegations, only one thing needs to be said‘A disgrace to football’: Vinicius Jr reports racist abuse as Real Madrid match haltedReal Madrid earn slim lead over Benfica amid fury over racism incidentSpeaking after the match, Mourinho said he had spoken to both Vinicius and Prestianni nd could not be biased against either player. But he criticised Vinicius for his goal celebration. “It should be the crazy moment of the game, an amazing goal in a good game... these talents are able to do these beautiful things but unfortunately he [Vinicius] was not just happy to score that astonishing goal and then the game was over. When you score a goal like that you celebrate in a respectful way.”Mourinho was asked if Vinicius had “incited” the Benfica players and the crowd with his celebration and he responded: “Yeah, I believe so. The words they exchange, Prestianni with Vinicius, I want to be independent. I don’t comment about it.”The Portuguese manager then revealed his own talks with Vinicius and explained what he had told the winger during the pause in play.open image in galleryJose Mourinho spoke to Vinicius Jr during the break in play (AP)“I told him that when you score a goal like that you just celebrate and walk back,” Mourinho added. “And then when he was arguing about racism I told him the biggest person in the history of this club [Eusebio] was black. This club, the last thing it is is racist, so if in his mind it was something in relation to that, this is Benfica. “There is something wrong because it happens in every stadium. Every stadium that Vinicius plays [in] something happens. Always. “I’m saying that it was a good 50 minutes of football, millions of people watching around the world, a crazy goal absolutely crazy goal and then game over.”open image in galleryVinicius Jr alleges he received a racist remark on the pitch in the Champions League clash with Benfica (AFP via Getty Images)Amazon Prime pundits Wayne Rooney, Clarence Seedorf and Theo Walcott seemed stunned by Mourinho’s comments with Rooney labelling them “unfair” and Seedorf sayi