Speaking to Spanish TV show El Chiringuito days before his first La Liga campaign back in Madrid, Mourinho was pressed on the awkward legacy of the February incident at the Estadio da Luz. His answer was that his defence of Prestianni had a single reason, and that the same reason now applies to Vinicius.
“The answer is simple, Prestianni was my player. And that’s it, there’s no further discussion,” Mourinho said, in comments carried by A Bola.
The Portuguese coach then applied the same rule going forward, this time to the player he now works with every day.
“Twenty more players can come, I will still defend my player,” Mourinho told the show.
He then turned to Vinicius directly.
“Now Vinicius knows which side I’m on. The other day, when they didn’t mark a penalty for him, I was on the pitch fighting for him.”
From the Luz to the Bernabeu
The row Mourinho was addressing dates to February 2026. During a Champions League tie at the Estadio da Luz between Benfica and Real Madrid, Vinicius alleged Prestianni had racially abused him during a heated exchange near the corner flag. UEFA opened proceedings and provisionally banned the Argentine winger for one match while a longer investigation played out.
Mourinho, then still Benfica’s manager, defended his player and his club, telling reporters that “the biggest person in the history of this club was black” in reference to Eusebio and rejecting any suggestion of institutional racism at Benfica.
Days later he hardened the caveat. If Prestianni was found guilty, Mourinho said, “his career with me is over”.
A second spell that starts against Espanyol
Mourinho was named Real Madrid coach on 11 June on a three-year deal, replacing Alvaro Arbeloa and returning to the Spanish capital 13 years after his first stint.
His first competitive league match is Saturday’s trip to Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium, kicking off at 9:30pm local time. Madrid’s scheduled Matchday 1 fixture against Real Sociedad was postponed to 26 August due to squad members’ involvement at the 2026 World Cup.
He goes into the game without a stack of first-team players. Rodrygo, Eder Militao, Raul Asencio, Thiago Pitarch, Aurelien Tchouameni and Ferland Mendy are all ruled out through injury.
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Vinicius is expected to start.
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