Argentine Gianluca Prestianni has become the villain of soccer. He is in the eye of the storm accused of racism, a problem that arose on the pitch with Vinicius, but which transcends to the outside in different ways and which remains open ahead of the second leg between Real Madrid and Benfica.

He has been accused of referring to the Brazilian as a "monkey". The offense, which is clearly racist, has become the focus of a series of debates about racism in soccer, particularly because it has not been eradicated. On the contrary, it remains prevalent in high-profile tournaments such as the Champions League.

After the episode with Vinicius, Prestianni is "public enemy number one" for Real Madrid fans. On social media, Madrid fans warn that they will receive the Argentine with the greatest possible hostility so that he feels the rigor that no one messes with their players, much less with racist aggression.

It would not be the first time that the Argentine has been received in a tense and "hot" atmosphere. As a Velez Sarsfield player, he was an element that had conflicts with his own fans. The relationship with the crowd was rough and unfriendly, so he was usually greeted with insults and jeers as soon as he took to the field.

The difference is that now he is accused of something serious that UEFA is investigating to corroborate whether it actually happened. However, whether he offended Vinicius or not, the animosity on the part of the Real Madrid fans is declared: if Prestianni takes to the field, they will get on his case at all times.

What did Prestianni decide?

Through Record in Portugal, it is revealed that the Argentine is determined to play the second leg between Real Madrid and Benfica at the Bernabeu. His club has already shown him its full support and trusts his version of events, that is, that he did not call Vinicius a "monkey". Gianluca claims to have a clear conscience, so he told his coaching staff that he feels in the right mental and emotional condition to face the commitment.

Prestianni's relationship with Benfica

He signed with the Portuguese institution until the end of the 2029 season. The 20-year-old joined in January 2024 and is in his second year in the country. The club is confident that UEFA's investigations will get to the truth and that its player will not be compromised or have his career affected.