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Vinicius Jr. Leaves Field After Racist Abuse at Benfica

BBC Sport Football •
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Real Madrid's Champions League play-off match at Benfica was temporarily halted when Vinicius Junior reported alleged racist abuse from the crowd. The Brazilian forward and his teammates walked off the field for approximately 10 minutes during the crucial knockout phase encounter.

This incident marks another troubling chapter in Vinicius's career, as the 23-year-old has faced repeated racist abuse throughout his time in Spain and during European competitions. The stoppage came during a high-stakes match that will determine which team advances to the Champions League round of 16.

While Real Madrid ultimately secured a victory in the match, the result was overshadowed by the racist incident that forced play to stop. The club and UEFA will likely face pressure to address the situation, as such incidents continue to plague European football despite ongoing anti-racism initiatives.