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Vinicius Junior

Vinicius Junior news

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Vinicius Junior Llan Nyom Real Madrid Getafe 2025-26

📽️ | Vinicius explodes at Getafe rival after shock Real loss

Vinicius Junior became caught up in another unsightly confrontation following Real Madrid’s shock defeat to Getafe at Santiago Bernabeu. The Brazil international played the full 90 minutes for the Blancos as they went down 1-0 to local rivals. After the final whistle blew, Real’s South American superstar was goaded by Allan Nyom - a rival he has previously clashed with this season.

Vinicius Huijsen Madrid Getafe GFX

Madrid miss Mbappe big time! Blancos embarrassed by Getafe

Real Madrid lost for the second game in a row and were lacking in the final third in a 1-0 defeat to lowly Getafe. With Kylian Mbappe sidelined due to a knee injury, Los Blancos looked void of ideas. They conceded a remarkable goal in the first half, and didn't create enough in the second to deserve any more than a disappointing home defeat to a scrappy Getafe side.

Gianni Infantino Vinicius Junior Real Madrid Champions League 2026

Infantino wants red cards for mouth-covering after Vini racism incident

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has claimed that players who cover their mouths during verbal altercations that are racist in nature should be shown a straight red card. The proposal comes after Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni allegedly subjected Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior to racial abuse. Infantino believes there should be a "presumption" of guilt, arguing that the act of hiding one's lips should be considered sufficient evidence of offensive intent.

Vinicius Junior Gianluca Prestianni Real Madrid Benfica 2025-26

'If he's guilty, it's over' - Mourinho sends warning to Prestianni

Jose Mourinho has sensationally threatened to end Gianluca Prestianni’s career at Benfica if allegations that the young Argentine racially abused Real Madrid star Vinícius Jr. prove to be true. While the former Blancos boss preached the importance of the presumption of innocence, he made it crystal clear that there is a zero-tolerance policy for any form of prejudice under his watch.

FBL-POR-LIGA-PORTO-BENFICA

Benfica face 'moral crisis' as legend blasts reaction to Vini Jr racism row

Benfica legend Luisao has launched a second scathing public attack on the club's hierarchy following their controversial handling of the recent racism allegations involving Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior and Argentine midfielder Gianluca Prestianni. The former Eagles captain expressed profound disappointment with the institutional response, explicitly accusing Prestianni of lying about the incident. Luisao warned that the Portuguese giants are currently navigating a severe "moral crisis" that threatens to permanently tarnish their historical legacy, demanding that the leadership face the uncomfortable truth rather than simply sweeping a serious societal issue under the rug.

Ballon d'Or Power Rankings GFX

BDO Power Rankings: Kane leads Haaland as Vini makes move

With the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly presumably disappearing into the rearview mirror, the battle for the Ballon d'Or hasn't felt so open for the best part of 20 years, with countless players now beginning each campaign believing they have a chance of claiming the most prestigious individual prize football has to offer. Ousmane Dembele emerged from a career plagued with inconsistencies to win the Golden Ball in 2025, and he was among a crowded field of contenders as the 2026 race got going.

Neymar Vinicius Junior celebration 2025-26

📽️ | Neymar hits Vini celebration after scoring for Santos

Neymar delivered a show of support for fellow countryman Vinicius Junior when netting for Santos in their meeting with Vasco da Gama. Real Madrid superstar Vini has found himself at the centre of another racism storm in Europe, with Neymar offering his backing to a Brazil international colleague when mimicking the 25-year-old’s goal celebration.

Gianluca Prestianni Benfica 2026

Benfica respond to reports Prestianni admitted racial abuse

Benfica have issued a further statement in the wake of their Champions League defeat to Real Madrid, and the storm that followed their first leg, after Gianluca Prestianni was accused of racially abusing Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian made the allegation during the game in Portugal and the club have now insisted that he did not admit to his team-mates that he had said what he is accused of.

Real Madrid C.F. v SL Benfica - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg

Real Madrid win dedicated to 'everyone who stands against racism'

Real Madrid secured their place in the Champions League last 16 with a spirited 2-1 comeback victory over Benfica on Wednesday, but the post-match talk was dominated by a powerful message of defiance. Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni insisted that the 3-1 aggregate win represented "a victory for everyone who stands against racism" following the ugly incidents that marred the first leg of the tie. The build-up to the return fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu was overshadowed by allegations that star forward Vinícius Jr had been racially abused by Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni during the first encounter, an act that led to a one-match ban for the Argentine youngster.

FBL-EUR-C1-REAL MADRID-BENFICA

Arbeloa reacts to Man City possibility after Real Madrid see off Benfica

Alvaro Arbeloa was in a reflective mood at the Santiago Bernabéu after guiding Real Madrid into the Champions League round of 16 following a hard-fought victory over Benfica. The former Madrid defender, now leading the Spanish giants from the dugout, oversaw a mature performance as his side secured a 2-1 win on the night, progressing with a 3-1 aggregate scoreline. Despite the celebrations in the capital, the focus quickly shifted to the potential heavyweights awaiting them in the next phase, with a familiar English opponent looming large in the mind of the Madrid head coach.

Vini HIC

Vini Jr dances as Real Madrid see off Benfica in UCL

Vinicius Jr danced and Real Madrid overcame an early deficit to see off Benfica in the Champions League playoff round, 2-1. Los Blancos fell behind early, before goals from Aurelien Tchouameni and Vinicius gave them a comfortable lead, and sealed a 3-1 aggregate win. There were some uncertain moments, but Madrid were otherwise good value for the result.

SL Benfica v Real Madrid C.F. - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg

Benfica lose appeal against Prestianni ban for Real second leg

Benfica's appeal against the provisional suspension handed to Gianluca Prestianni has been rejected, meaning the Argentine will miss the second leg of the Champions League knockout round play-off against Real Madrid on Wednesday night. The 20-year-old has been accused of racially abusing Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior during the first game last week.

GFX Vinicius Jr Lucas Paqueta

Paqueta urges Vini Jr to join Flamengo amid racism row

The bond between former teammates Lucas Paqueta and Vinicius Junior remains unbreakable, and the current Flamengo midfielder has made no secret of his desire to see the Real Madrid superstar back at the Maracana. Following the latest instance of alleged racial abuse directed at Vinicius during last week's Champions League clash against Benfica, Paqueta has publicly offered his "total support" to his close friend. While the winger continues to battle prejudice in Europe, his former partner in crime believes the time is approaching for them to fulfil a long-standing pact to dominate South American football together once again.

Prestianni Vinicius Junior Benfica Real Madrid

'I can't accept it' - Prestianni warned by Benfica teammate over racism row

The controversy surrounding Benfica starlet Gianluca Prestianni continues to cast a dark shadow over the Portuguese giants following last week's heated Champions League encounter with Real Madrid. While the football world has been incensed by the alleged incident, the suspect’s teammates at the Estadio da Luz have remained largely tight-lipped while the legal process unfolds. However, that silence has finally been broken by Belgian international Dodi Lukebakio, who has provided a candid and stern assessment of the situation currently engulfing the Argentine youngster.

Vinicius back to best GFX

Keep dancing, Vini! Madrid star back to his best in 2026

After all that followed it, it may have been forgotten just how good Vinicius Jr's goal to beat Benfica was last week. The Brazil winger has a fine catalogue for Real Madrid, but this was surely among the best. Vinicius cut inside before using the outline of a defender to shape his shot into the top corner. It was a truly wonderful moment of individual expression - one that absolutely should be celebrated.

Frequently asked questions

Lionel Messi is a versatile attacker who has featured both through the middle and in a free role from the right, allowing him to cut inside on to his stronger left foot.

Lionel Messi was born in Rosario, Santa Fe, in Argentina on June 24, 1987.

The Argentine maestro wears the number he has been known to don for the majority of his career, the No. 10, at MLS outfit Inter Miami.

Lionel Messi is often among the shortest players on a football pitch, standing at just 1.70m (5ft 7in). However, it is due to his low center of gravity which has made him one of the most fearsome forces to be reckoned with in football history.

Lionel Messi weighs 67kg (148 lbs), his low weight aiding him in gaining high bursts of acceleration and gliding past defenders as if they were never there.

Lionel Messi began his journey in football with local club Grandoli at the age of four, in 1992, before joining the team he loved the most, Newell's Old Boys, at the age of six. He stayed with the Argentine club until 2000, when he made the switch to Barcelona.

Lionel Messi and his wife Antonella Roccuzzo have three sons: Mateo, Thiago, and Ciro.

Lionel Messi is married to Argentine model and media personality Antonella Roccuzzo. The couple exchanged vows back in 2017.