Who is Gianluca Prestianni, the Benfica forward accused by Vinicius and Mbappé? | OneFootball

Gianluca Prestianni, Benfica’s 20-year-old Argentine forward, was accused by Vinicius and Kylian Mbappé of racist remarks on Tuesday night, a controversy that thrust him into the spotlight. According to L'Équipe, his name is now one of the most discussed in football.

Born in Greater Buenos Aires, he joined Velez Sarsfield at four and became their youngest professional at 16 years, three months and 22 days. Benfica beat River Plate and Porto to sign him in 2023 for nine million euros plus two million in bonuses, and he moved in January 2024.

He featured once in the second half of 2023-2024, then 14 times in 2024-2025, before José Mourinho made him a regular, though he has only two goals. Captain Nicolás Otamendi, a fellow Velez graduate, has been a protector.

Lionel Scaloni handed him a first Argentina cap in a 1-0 friendly win over Angola on 14 November. He then showcased his technique against Real in their first Champions League meeting this season, a 4-2 on 28 January, repeatedly troubling Alvaro Carreras.

Argentine observers sometimes liken him to Angel Di Maria, a comparison he rejects. Like Di Maria, he began in Europe at Benfica, who set a 100 million euros release clause, though after Tuesday it appears unlikely he heads for Real Madrid. Fans praise his direct style and pace, yet he has a combustible streak, with two red cards since the Club World Cup and a clash after the 1-2 Montaigu final defeat to Brazil in April 2022.

Source: L'Équipe