Former Manchester United Star Mikael Silvestre Delivers Scathing Critique of Jose Mourinho
Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre has launched a powerful condemnation of Benfica manager Jose Mourinho regarding his response to Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior's allegation of racist abuse. The incident occurred during a high-stakes Champions League play-off match in Lisbon on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, which saw the game temporarily halted.
Champions League Match Marred by Racism Allegation
The controversy erupted when Vinicius Junior, the 25-year-old Brazilian superstar, reported Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni to the referee for alleged racist comments. This led to the player leaving the field during the crucial European fixture. In the aftermath, Mourinho made comments that appeared to shift some blame toward Vinicius, stating to reporters: "A stadium where Vinicius plays, something happens, always."
Silvestre, speaking exclusively to Sky News on Wednesday, February 18, expressed profound disappointment in Mourinho's approach. The former France international, who is now a member of FIFA's Player's Voice Panel dedicated to addressing on-pitch racism, accused the Portuguese manager of failing in his leadership role.
Silvestre's Strong Rebuke of Mourinho's Comments
"In terms of what high level and reputation he has, Jose Mourinho failed us," Silvestre told Sky News chief presenter Mark Austin. "As an industry, and as human beings, he completely misled everyone - or he tried. But we are not foolish - and we know what happened."
The criticism intensified as Silvestre addressed Mourinho's additional comments about Vinicius's goal celebration. After scoring the only goal early in the second half, Vinicius performed a dance around the corner flag, paying homage to Cameroonian legend Roger Milla's iconic World Cup celebration. Mourinho told Amazon Prime: "I told him, when you score a goal like that, you just celebrate and walk back."
Silvestre responded forcefully: "For Jose Mourinho to divert and even vilify Vinicius Junior's behavior for celebrating the goal that he did - remembering Roger Milla for Cameroon years ago - it's not the way a top manager like him should do. We expect better, clearly it was bad for everyone, and I hope he's regretting his comment during the game, and also after during the press conference."
Conflicting Accounts and Denials
Meanwhile, Gianluca Prestianni has firmly denied making any racist comments toward Vinicius Junior. In a statement posted in Portuguese on Instagram and shared by Benfica on social media, the winger claimed he was misunderstood. He wrote: "I want to clarify that at no time did I direct racist insults to Vinicius Junior, who regrettably misunderstood what he thought he heard. I was never racist with anyone and I regret the threats I received from Real Madrid players."
This denial adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation, highlighting the challenges in addressing racism allegations in professional football.
Broader Implications for Football
The incident has sparked widespread debate about racism in football and the responsibilities of managers in such sensitive situations. Silvestre's role on the FIFA Player's Voice Panel, where he works alongside legends like George Weah and Didier Drogba, underscores the importance of his perspective. His criticism reflects growing expectations for football leaders to demonstrate empathy and take unequivocal stands against discrimination.
As the football world continues to grapple with racism, this confrontation between a respected former player and a high-profile manager serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing need for education, accountability, and compassionate leadership within the sport.
