Vinicius Jr celebrates excessively again in the Champions League

Vinícius Jr continued to be the focal point at Bernabeu after netting the winning goal against Benfica, yet his disputed celebration sparked controversy once more in the Champions League.

The atmosphere at Santiago Bernabéu heated up once again because of Vinícius Jr. The Brazilian star became the main focus during Real Madrid’s victory over Benfica, aaaanot only due to the decisive goal but also because of the contentious celebration in the final minutes.

In the 80th minute, with the match tightly contested, Vinícius Jr made his move at the perfect moment. From a swift counterattack, the number 7 striker delivered a cold-blooded finish, securing the advantage for the home side. After the ball hit the net, he sprinted straight to the corner flag and performed his signature dance — a celebration that had angered Benfica’s players and fans in the first leg.

A week earlier in Lisbon, this very action had ignited tensions between the two sides. The situation escalated when young midfielder Gianluca Prestianni was accused of racial discrimination against Vinícius. The referee was forced to pause the match for nearly 10 minutes to initiate anti-racism protocols following a strong reaction from the Real Madrid star.

In the return leg, over 3,000 Benfica supporters present at Bernabéu jeered every time Vinícius touched the ball. However, as Real Madrid gradually took control of the game, the pressure from the stands lessened. In response, the home fans raised banners saying “No To Racism” and “Respect,” clearly expressing their stance against all forms of discrimination.

Amid a highly pressured environment, Vinícius chose to respond through his performance on the pitch. He played the full 90 minutes, achieved a 95% pass accuracy, had 2 shots on target, 55 touches, and completed 2 successful dribbles alongside his decisive goal.

Although his celebration remains controversial, Vinícius’ influence in Real Madrid’s Champions League campaign is undeniable. In the round of 16, the Spanish side will face either Manchester City or Sporting CP — a real test for their ambition to defend the European crown.