Mbappé: "He lifted his shirt to say that Vini is a monkey five times"
“I have the utmost respect for Benfica and their coach, but this player does not deserve to play in the Champions League anymore,” said our forward.
Kylian Mbappé spoke to the media after Real Madrid's victory against Benfica. The forward explained what happened after Vini Jr.'s goal: “Vinicius scores the goal and goes to dance. The crowd boos him, which is something that happens. Then there is a moment of tension with the Benfica players, which can also happen because this is the Champions League and it's normal, as people want to win for their fans. After that, Benfica's number 25, I don't want to say his name, he doesn't deserve it, started speaking badly to him. It's unacceptable, but it has happened and will happen. But then he lifted his shirt to say that Vini is a monkey five times, I heard it. There are Benfica players who heard it too. And after this point, everything that was seen started.”
“It needs to be explained calmly, we must not speak in general terms. I have come to Portugal many times, and nothing like this has ever happened. In these situations, it is important to speak clearly, and there are people who did nothing wrong. Surely there were 70,000 people who wanted to support their team. I have the utmost respect for Benfica and their coach, but this player does not deserve to play in the Champions League anymore. I think this competition inspires everyone, especially children. If we allow these kinds of things to pass, all the values of football mean nothing, and everything we believe in means nothing. Something must be done.”
Zero tolerance
“The first thing I want to say is that we are in the Champions League. There are the best cameras in the world. Look at his face when he saw our reaction. We must not let these things pass. Then I went with Vini because he didn't want to play anymore, and as I said in the press conference before Monaco, we cannot leave him alone in these situations. We must stand united and defend our own.
Defending Vini
“We also spoke with the people at Benfica, but I cannot be angry with them because they didn't hear it, and when that happens, it's difficult to have an opinion. It would be unfair to come and say that Benfica's staff did not defend us. But the people who were close should have done something. Mourinho tried to calm the situation, to understand what happened. On Wednesday, we are going to play a match at the Bernabéu, the best stadium in the world, and we are going to inspire all madridistas and everyone, but this player should not play. He does not deserve it.”
The insult
“He said it five times. I am speaking as clearly as possible. I am telling you what I think and what I heard, and I heard it very well. It is important to explain it calmly so that as many people as possible can understand the situation.”
Mourinho
“He tried to understand what happened. He told me that he will never accept these types of things. I already had a good impression of José Mourinho, and now I have an even better one because I know he is a coach with values and will not let these things pass.”
How was Vini Jr. after the match?
“I was near Vini in the locker room. This is not the first time he has experienced these kinds of cases. It hurts me a lot for him because it seems like it's easy. Some people say he talks too much and provokes. Has Vini ever provoked in his career? Possibly. Has he done bad things in his career? Possibly. But he will never deserve these kinds of things. I cannot understand or believe that there is a human being who can deserve this kind of treatment.”