Prestianni reignites controversy at Benfica

Just when the spotlight seemed to be fading, Gianluca Prestianni placed himself back at the center of the storm. The young Argentine, recently suspended by UEFA, reacted on social media to a post that harshly criticized his teammate Lopes Cabral for asking Vinicius for his shirt after the match at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The gesture: a ‘like’ on a post published by a Benfica-related Instagram account questioning the full-back’s attitude. The reaction quickly went viral and triggered a new wave of debate. Although he later removed the ‘like,’ the damage was already done.

The image that angered the fans

It all began with a seemingly harmless scene. After the final whistle of the match between Real Madrid and Benfica, Lopes Cabral approached Vinicius on the pitch. Reports suggest his intention was to exchange shirts. The image, captured from the stands, spread like wildfire online.

A section of the Benfica fanbase interpreted the gesture as a lack of sensitivity given the already tense atmosphere. Emotions had been running high since the clash between Prestianni and Vinicius in the first leg, when the Brazilian claimed he had been subjected to a racist insult. Since then, the Argentine’s name has remained under scrutiny.

According to Portuguese media reports, the exchange ultimately did not take place. However, the mere conversation between the two players was enough for the more radical supporters to criticize Lopes Cabral, questioning his commitment to the club at such a delicate moment.

The shadow of UEFA’s suspension

The background makes the situation even more complex. Prestianni was provisionally suspended by UEFA for an alleged violation related to discriminatory behavior, which ruled him out of the return leg at the Bernabéu. Benfica filed an appeal with the Appeals Committee, but it was rejected.

The Argentine, visibly upset, took to social media to express his frustration. “Sanctioning without proof is possible,” he wrote, clearly referring to the decision made by European football’s governing body. He also compared his case to incidents involving rival players who, in his view, were not punished.

A locker room under pressure

What happened exposes a potential internal fracture that could carry sporting consequences. Instead of closing ranks after an intense knockout tie, Benfica now faces a public debate over loyalty and unwritten locker-room codes.

That Prestianni joined — even digitally — the attacks against Lopes Cabral does little to calm the waters. If anything, it fuels the narrative of a squad struggling under external pressure and amplified reactions on social media.

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