Former Serie A star Lilian Thuram says José Mourinho grew to become a ‘small man’ by dismissing Actual Madrid’s complaints about alleged racist abuse directed at Vinicius Junior.
Tuesday’s Champions League encounter between Actual Madrid and Benfica in Portugal was marred by claims that Benfica prospect Gianluca Prestianni aimed racist remarks at Vinicius Jr.
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The Benfica participant denied accusations, and his coach, Mourinho, protected him at full-time and appeared in charge Vini Jr. as a substitute.
“I informed him: ‘Once you rating a aim like that, you simply have a good time and stroll again.’ They [Vinícius and Prestianni] informed me various things. However I don’t consider in a single or one other. I wish to be an unbiased,” Mourinho informed Prime Video by way of
“There’s something fallacious as a result of it occurs in each stadium. A stadium the place Vinícius performs, one thing all the time occurs.”
Ex-Serie A star Thuram, a 1998 World Cup winner with France and the daddy of Serie A stars Marcus (Inter) and Kehphren (), hit again on the Portuguese in an interview with
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“The character of his statements explains the the reason why progress isn’t being made. Mourinho is a superb coach with an distinctive profession,” Thuram stated.
Thuram sees ‘sense of superiority and white narcissism’ in Mourinho’s feedback
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 21: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Benfica, appears to be like on through the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD7 match between Juventus and SL Benfica at Juventus Stadium on January 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photograph by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Photos)
“He has labored with many black gamers, and but that doesn’t cease him, first, from doubting the character of a racist act and, second, from questioning the sufferer’s duty. Vinicius, on this case, due to the best way he celebrates a aim.
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“How can he say one thing like that? Who’s Mourinho to determine what Vinicius can or can not do? In Mourinho’s judgment, there’s a sense of superiority and white narcissism.
“The racist act in opposition to Vinicius was not associated to his behaviour, however to the color of his pores and skin,” Thuram continued.
“Mourinho recommended that Vinicius is likely to be at fault, that he introduced it on himself. That is complete violence. His feeling of superiority that some white individuals have prevents them from placing themselves within the sufferer’s sneakers. A bit extra humility could be wanted.
PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 05: Lilian Thuram, former Parma Calcio participant, appears to be like on from the stands previous to the Serie A match between Parma and FC Internazionale at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 05, 2025, in Parma, Italy. (Photograph by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Photos)
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“A bit extra humility could be wanted. And the way can Mourinho ignore what the gamers themselves say? Are Vinicius and Mbappé loopy? Are black individuals paranoid, inventing tales? It’s pathetic that Mourinho makes it appear as if Vinicius is chargeable for the racism he endures.
“By doing so, he turns into a small man. So long as behaviours like this persist, we won’t transfer ahead collectively on this combat, and that’s additionally a part of the historical past of racism. Mourinho doesn’t analyse the racist act as a human being, however as a white man.”