Courtois on Vinicius controversy: “Am I disappointed? Mourinho is Mourinho”

“Well, Mourinho is Mourinho." Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois didn’t hold back when asked if José Mourinho had disappointed him because of his attitude or comments following Vinicius Jr.’s accusation that Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni had racially abused him.

“It bothers me that Vinicius’ celebration is being used to justify anything,” Courtois continued. You can’t excuse a supposed act of racism with a celebration.”

Courtois backs Vinicius: “I believe him 100 percent”

Speaking at a media conference before the second leg of the Champions League playoff on Wednesday, Courtois was then quizzed on Prestianni, who traveled to Madrid even though he’s unlikely to play.

The Belgian didn’t confirm whether a handshake would be denied if Prestianni did take the field. He did, however, offer unwavering support for Vinicius. “I believe Vinicius 100 percent. I’ve heard him many times and I trust him completely.”

Courtois added, “If he said ‘maricón,’ (’faggot’) that’s equally serious. Racism and homophobia are unacceptable; both are equally severe insults.” He called on UEFA and other authorities to take firm action. Regarding monkey gestures in the stands, he said, “That’s a reason to stop the match and eject those people. We need to stop being so foolish as a society.”

On the pitch, Courtois also urged Real Madrid fans at the Bernabéu to stay focused and loud throughout the game. “The score can be misleading. If they score early, we need the fans cheering all match, and we need to stay concentrated from the first second.”

Thibaut Courtois press conference highlights

What matters most?

“Having the fans with us, cheering the entire game. We need to start strong. The score can be deceptive; if they score early, we have to stay focused and keep our attitude right.”

Thoughts on Prestianni

“This is a crucial moment for soccer to put an end to these incidents. We know what Vinicius has shared with us - it’s happened many times. UEFA will decide, but we need to put an end to it.”

Courtois slams Mourinho and Chilavert

Disappointment in Mourinho?

“Mourinho is Mourinho. As a coach, you always defend your club and your players. What disappoints me is using Vinicius’ celebration. Vinicius did nothing wrong; he celebrated like any player would against us. When you score on Real Madrid, the reaction is double or triple for most teams. We have to move on, but a celebration cannot justify alleged racism.”

Chilavert’s comments

“They’re also regrettable. Comments like that have no place in today’s world.”

Benfica president Rui Costa’s statements

“Using Fede’s actions has nothing to do with the issue. He had no intention of harming an opponent. As for Prestianni, it’s always word against word, but we stand 100 percent with Vinicius. He’s been targeted a lot and has never said anything like that. You hear it clearly - he’s been heard many times, and I believe him completely. UEFA and the institutions need to handle the rest.”

Handshake if Prestianni plays?

“We haven’t discussed it as players. We’ll see what we decide as a team.”

On an alleged homophobic insult

“It seems he said it, and that’s just as serious. Homophobic insults are unacceptable, just like what happened in the stands in Lisbon. A player may rub you the wrong way, but gestures like that are shameful. Racism and homophobia are equally unacceptable.”

On-field controversies and VAR

Pamplona penalty incident

“It’s tricky. As a goalkeeper, you’re always vulnerable. With VAR, the replay slows things down. I barely touched him, but he placed his foot under mine. It wasn’t a trip, and he complains about his shin. The referee didn’t consider the ball was going far away, it wasn’t a scoring chance. As a keeper, I’d say it’s not a penalty; a forward might say it is. VAR should consider more, like who plays the ball and where it goes.”

Are anti-racism rules enough?

“They’re improving. Ultimately, it’s up to Vinicius to decide whether the match continues. If he says no, we’d consider leaving. UEFA decides the rest. But the stands? That’s a reason to stop the match and remove the offenders. A player shouldn’t have to see that; it’s the official’s responsibility, and authorities should be called. We need to stop being so foolish as a society.”

Should covering your mouth be penalized?

“It’s tricky, because sometimes you just want to talk to a teammate without being overheard. But if it stops insults, I’m fine with it. In many sports, players and referees wear microphones. If it helps end racism, I have no problem.”

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.