Gianluca Prestianni, the young Benfica forward, has expressed deep disappointment over accusations of racist conduct levelled against him during a recent match.
He stated that the claims caused him significant distress, emphasising that he was wrongly blamed for an action he insists he never committed.
Prestianni maintained his composure, noting that those familiar with his character understand his true nature and values.
The player revealed that disciplinary measures were imposed without supporting evidence, preventing him from demonstrating his innocence on the pitch.
He further referenced remarks directed at him by Kylian Mbappé, in which he was labelled a racist—an allegation he firmly rejects.
Prestianni affirmed that he has never held racist views and never will, underscoring his commitment to fair play and respect in the sport.
Regarding the specific exchange with Vinícius Júnior, Prestianni clarified that he used the Argentine colloquial term “cagón,” which is commonly employed in his culture to denote cowardice and carries no racial connotation.
He explicitly denied using any term resembling “monkey” and explained that such expressions are part of routine on-field banter in Argentine football circles.
The incident has sparked broader discussion on cultural differences in sporting language and the importance of context in disciplinary decisions.
