Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouaméni has expressed regret over not leaving the pitch during his team’s Champions League match against Benfica to support teammate Vinicius Junior, who was subjected to racist abuse from Benfica fans.
The incident occurred in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 tie at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon on March 5, 2024. Vinicius was targeted with racist chants and monkey noises by a section of the home crowd throughout the match, prompting widespread condemnation.
Tchouaméni, who started the game and played the full 90 minutes, later revealed in an interview with Brazilian media outlet Globo Esporte that he had considered walking off the field in solidarity with Vinicius but ultimately decided against it, a decision he now regrets.
“I thought about it,” Tchouaméni said. “I wanted to go to him, to show him he wasn’t alone. But I stayed on the pitch because I thought about the team, about the match. Now I think: what if we had done it? What if we had all left together?”
The France international explained that his hesitation stemmed from concerns about the potential consequences for the team, including the risk of the match being forfeited. “You think about the rules, about what could happen to the club,” he added. “But in hindsight, supporting your brother in that moment is more important than any game.”
Vinicius, who has been a frequent target of racist abuse in Spain and abroad, scored Real Madrid’s opening goal in the 2-0 victory but was visibly distressed by the harassment. After the match, he took to social media to denounce the incident, writing: “Racism is not normal. It’s not part of football.”
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti condemned the abuse in his post-match press conference, stating: “What happened to Vinicius is unacceptable. We are with him and we will continue to fight against racism in football.”
The club released an official statement the following day, reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy toward discrimination and calling on UEFA and Portuguese authorities to seize strong action against those responsible.
UEFA launched an investigation into the incident and later charged Benfica with violating its disciplinary regulations regarding racist and discriminatory conduct. The Portuguese club was fined €50,000 and ordered to partially close its stadium for one match, though the sanction was suspended pending a probationary period.
Tchouaméni’s reflection highlights the ongoing struggle players face when deciding how to respond to abuse in real time. While many athletes have called for stronger protocols to allow players to walk off the field safely, current competition rules do not explicitly permit such actions without risking sanctions.
In recent years, several high-profile incidents have sparked debate over player power and institutional responsibility. During the 2023-24 season, players in England’s Premier League and Italy’s Serie A have walked off the pitch in response to racist abuse, prompting league authorities to review their procedures.
The Brazilian national team has also voiced support for Vinicius, with teammates such as Rodrygo and Endrick publicly standing by him. Brazil’s coach Dorival Junior praised Vinicius’s resilience, saying: “He carries a heavy burden, but he keeps performing at the highest level.”
For Tchouaméni, the experience has become a personal lesson in courage and solidarity. “I wear the Real Madrid badge with pride,” he said. “But sometimes, the badge on your chest means nothing if you don’t stand for what’s right when it matters most.”
Real Madrid returned to Benfica in April 2024 for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie, winning 2-1 at the Estádio da Luz. Vinicius scored the opening goal and celebrated by pointing to his skin, a gesture widely interpreted as a response to the earlier abuse.
The rematch served as a moment of quiet defiance, with both clubs observing a minute of silence before kick-off to promote anti-racism in football. Benfica fans largely behaved appropriately, though isolated incidents were reported by stadium stewards.
Looking ahead, Tchouaméni emphasized the necessitate for collective action. “It’s not enough for one player to speak up,” he said. “We need the leagues, the clubs, the fans — everyone — to say: this stops now.”
As the 2023-24 season concludes, Real Madrid prepares for the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium on June 1, 2024. Vinicius is expected to start, having finished the campaign as the team’s joint-top scorer in all competitions.
Tchouaméni, meanwhile, will look to position the Benfica incident behind him as he focuses on helping Madrid defend their European title. But the question lingers: what if they had left the pitch that night?
Would it have changed anything? Perhaps not the result. But for Tchouaméni, it would have meant standing beside his friend when he needed it most.
What do you think players should do when faced with racist abuse during a match? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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