The match at the Estádio da Luz was decided by a stunning second-half strike from Vinícius Júnior, but attention quickly shifted to allegations of racist abuse involving Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni. Arbeloa, speaking after the final whistle, made clear where he stands.
“You need to ask the Benfica player. We all deserve to hear his answer,” Arbeloa said when questioned about Prestianni’s remarks. “It’s clear that there must be no tolerance for racism. We cannot allow things like this to happen on a football pitch in 2026.”
“Always by His Side”
The Madrid coach revealed that his immediate priority during the stoppage was to support Vinícius, who has faced repeated racist incidents in recent years.
“All I told him was that if he wanted to keep playing, we’d be by his side, whatever decision he made. Always by his side,” Arbeloa explained. “We rode together, we died together, and when something like this happens, we’re always there for him. We’ll always fight together, just like today.”
Arbeloa confirmed that leaving the pitch was a possibility, depending on Vinícius’ decision. “The referee told me he didn’t hear anything and couldn’t do anything. It was Vinicius’s decision. We can’t tolerate this kind of behaviour. Of course, we would have stood by him.”
Asked whether he believed his player’s version of events, Arbeloa did not hesitate: “I believe what Vini says. Of course. I would never doubt Vini’s words.”
He also dismissed earlier comments from José Mourinho suggesting the Brazilian had provoked the crowd with his celebration.
“I didn’t see Vini’s celebration. I did see the amazing goal, though,” Arbeloa said. “I think José, when he finds out what happened and what his player said, will be the first to say he won’t allow it. Zero tolerance. This is the Real Madrid we want to see.”
Focus on Performance and Growth
Beyond the controversy, Arbeloa expressed satisfaction with his team’s display, particularly compared to their previous meeting with Benfica three weeks earlier.
“The first half was very good, and we deserved a few more goals,” he noted. “Everything changed after that. They exposed themselves more, and we lost control. But we saw the Madrid we want to be — playing very well, very solid, putting in a lot of effort. I’m very happy with the difference compared to the game three weeks ago.”
Looking ahead to the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, Arbeloa warned against complacency. “Don’t make the mistake of writing off a Mourinho-coached team at 0–1. The Bernabéu will be waiting for Benfica, and that will be crucial. We have 90 minutes of great football ahead of us.”
Praise for Key Players
Arbeloa reserved special praise for Arda Güler, highlighting his growing influence. “Arda is a player with qualities that help us a lot. He’s able to link Vini with Kylian. He’s special, different. He’s becoming very important.”
He also commended Aurélien Tchouaméni for his consistency. “Spectacular, not just today. He’s been playing at a high level for several matches. We’re improving him a lot.”
On the right flank, Arbeloa pointed to the developing chemistry between Trent Alexander-Arnold, Federico Valverde, and Güler, describing their interplay as a productive synergy the coaching staff is working to refine.
As for Kylian Mbappé, Arbeloa acknowledged that the forward is still managing knee discomfort. “He’s been sidelined for many days. Knee problems are preventing him from performing at 100%. But he’s the best in the world, and at 80% he still is. We appreciate his effort.”
A Statement Beyond the Scoreline
While Madrid carry a slender advantage into the second leg, Arbeloa’s post-match message extended beyond tactics and scorelines. His unequivocal backing of Vinícius underscored the club’s stance against racism and its commitment to standing united when confronted with discrimination.
For Madrid, the victory in Lisbon was important. The message delivered afterward may prove even more significant.