Kylian Mbappé addressed the media following Real Madrid’s victory over Benfica and gave a detailed account of the events that unfolded after Vini Jr.’s goal.

The French forward said: “Vinicius scores and goes off to celebrate. The fans boo him, which is to be expected. Then there's a tense moment with the Benfica players, which can also happen because this is the Champions League and it's normal, because everyone wants to win for their fans. Then, Benfica's number 25—I don't want to say his name, he doesn't deserve it—starts talking badly to him. It's unacceptable, but it happened and it will happen again. 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 that point, everything that happened began.”

He continued: “We need to explain this calmly; we shouldn't speak in generalities. I've been to Portugal many times and nothing like this has ever happened, and in these kinds of situations, it's important to speak clearly. There are people who haven't done anything. I'm sure there were 70,000 people there who wanted to support their team. I have the utmost respect for Benfica and their coach, but this player doesn't deserve to play in the Champions League anymore. I think this competition is very exciting for everyone, especially children. If we let things like this go unpunished, all the values of football become meaningless, and everything we believe in is worthless. Something has to be done.”

Mbappé also added: “The first thing I want to say is that we're in the Champions League. There are the best cameras in the world. Look at his face when he saw our reaction. We can't let these kinds of things go. Then I went to Vini because he didn't want to play anymore, and as I said in the press conference before the Monaco game, we can't leave him alone in these situations. We have to stand together and defend our own.”

He concluded: “We've also spoken with the people at Benfica, but I can't be angry with them because they didn't listen, and when that happens, it's difficult to have an opinion. It would be unfair to come here and say that the Benfica staff didn't defend us. But the people who were close to us should do something. Mourinho has tried to calm the situation, to find out what happened. On Wednesday, we're going to play a match at the Bernabéu, the best stadium in the world, we're going to excite all the Madrid fans and everyone else, but this player shouldn't play. He doesn't deserve it.”

“He's said it five times. I'm speaking to you as clearly as possible, I'm telling you what I think, and what I heard I heard very well. It's important to explain it calmly so that as many people as possible can understand the situation.”

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