BUENOS AIRES.- Like many other jewels of the inextinguishable Argentine quarry, Gianluca Prestianni He crossed the Atlantic at a very young age heading to the football elite. But it is not his talent that is on everyone’s lips, but an accusation of racism against Vinicius Jr.
The end of the Benfica20 years old, would have said “monkey” to the Brazilian star of the real Madrid on Tuesday in Lisbon, during the first leg of the round of 16 playoffs of the European Champions League.
The referee activated the anti-racist protocol and Vini and other merengue players, like the French star Kylian Mbappéthey later denounced the alleged discrimination. Both Prestianni and the Eagles deny racist acts, in an episode that dirtyes football again.
Who is it?
Prestianni was born on January 31, 2006 into a very soccer-loving family in Ciudadela, a town in the province of Buenos Aires.
Since he was little he stood out for his talent with the ball, which led him to debut at just 16 years old in the first team of Velez Sarsfieldthe painting of which he is a fan.
The “Joyita” or the “Flea”, as he was known due to his 1.66 meters in height, then became the youngest player to debut with the shirt of Fortín, champion of the Libertadores Cup in 1994.
“It was not easy to debut so young, but the truth is that I am very happy to have worn the Vélez shirt and to have been able to leave it in first place,” he said at the end of 2023, after the V was saved from relegation.
He scored three goals in 39 games with Vélez between 2022 and 2023, a period in which he had high points, but also low points, due to cases of indiscipline, according to the local press.
Benfica bought him for 10 million euros at the beginning of 2024, according to the Transfermarkt portal, although he had his debut five months after arriving at the team immortalized by Eusebio.
After a start with little filming, this season he gained the trust of Jose Mourinhowhich has allowed him to play in 30 games (two goals, two assists).
World Cup winner?
Due to his ability to drive counterattacks and overwhelm, many have compared him to his compatriot Angel Di Mariaidol of the Águilas and the national team Argentina.
But Prestianni, also left-footed, although with much less of a goal-scoring nose, has just begun his path in the Albiceleste, from whose destiny he could have separated due to the interest he had in Italy in summoning him.
The winger, however, opted for the country of Lionel Messi and Diego Maradonawith which he shone in the U-20 World Cup of Chili 2025.
Although Argentina lost the final against Moroccothe youth player was elected player of the match twice, in the quarterfinals against Mexico and in the semifinals against Colombia.
“The end hurts us a lot, we wanted to play the seventh game and win the title, but we have to raise our heads. This tournament leaves us many lessons,” he said after the defeat against the Moroccans.
Last year, in November, he made his debut with the senior team, in a friendly match that ended with a 2-0 victory against Angola. He barely played four minutes with the world champions, but he is in the mix Lionel Scaloni for him 2026 World Cup.
Protagonist of several controversies
Despite his youth, Prestianni has been involved in numerous controversies.
In it 2022 Montaigu Tournamenta French youth competition, participated in the fight that broke out between Argentines and Brazilians at the end of the final, won by Canarinha de Endrick.
At the U-20 World Cup in Chile he insulted a ball boy, mocked the Chilean public and provoked Mexicans and Colombians after eliminating their respective teams in the quarterfinals and semifinals.
His most recent controversy, the apparent racist comment against Vini, is under investigation by the UEFA and may result in a penalty, if found guilty.
