Sneijder Slams Otamendi After Heated Vinicius Incident in Benfica vs Real Madrid Clash
Former Real Madrid CF midfielder Wesley Sneijder has criticised Nicolás Otamendi for what he described as “childish” behaviour during Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League clash between Benfica and Real Madrid in Lisbon.
The confrontation occurred shortly after Vinícius Júnior opened the scoring early in the second half with a stunning curling effort. The Brazilian forward celebrated passionately, prompting reactions from Benfica players, including Otamendi, who was seen on camera showing off tattoos commemorating Argentina’s triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Sneijder, reacting to the moment, questioned the defender’s actions and suggested the timing was inappropriate, especially as his team was trailing.
“This Otamendi guy, is he okay in the head? His behaviour was really childish,” Sneijder said. “If I were Vini, I’d let him know that the World Cup you’re bragging about, Messi was the one who won it, not you.”
The match took an even more serious turn when Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni allegedly made a racial comment toward Vinicius during the heated exchange, forcing officials to halt the game for about 10 minutes.
When play resumed, tensions remained high, with objects reportedly thrown from the stands toward the Brazilian winger. Despite the hostile atmosphere, Real Madrid held on to secure a narrow but crucial victory ahead of the return leg scheduled for February 25 in Spain.
Opinion: Football Must Protect Its Stars — Rivalry Should Never Cross the Line
Incidents like this highlight both the passion and the darker side of elite football. Rivalries, celebrations, and mind games are part of the sport, but gestures intended to provoke — especially during moments of tension — rarely help the game’s image. Sneijder’s criticism reflects a broader sentiment: professionalism should prevail, particularly on the Champions League stage where millions are watching.
More concerning, however, are the allegations of racial abuse and objects thrown from the crowd. Vinicius Júnior has unfortunately become one of the most frequent victims of such incidents in European football, raising serious questions about whether enough is being done to protect players. Talent should be celebrated, not targeted.
On the positive side, Real Madrid’s composure amid chaos demonstrates the mentality of experienced champions. Winning under pressure, in hostile environments, is often what separates elite teams from the rest.
Ultimately, football thrives on emotion — but respect must remain non-negotiable. Without it, the beauty of the game risks being overshadowed by controversy.
