Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has addressed a controversial moment involving teammate Vinicius Jr. earlier this season.
The incident dates back to a heated UEFA Champions League clash against Benfica, where tensions escalated on the pitch.
During the match, Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni was seen covering his mouth while speaking, a gesture that immediately raised suspicions.
Shortly after, Vinicius alleged that he had been subjected to racial abuse, sparking outrage within the Real Madrid camp.
Tchouameni opens up
Now, months later, Tchouameni has publicly addressed the situation during an appearance on the Pivot podcast, offering a direct and emotional account of what happened.
Speaking about the alleged abuse, he did not hold back.
“They called him a monkey. I feel that the next step will be to stop playing. We won’t allow scenes like that to happen again,” said the French midfielder.
Beyond the controversy, Tchouameni also opened up about his personal journey at Real Madrid, a club where expectations are relentless and scrutiny is constant.
Reflecting on difficult moments earlier in his time at the Bernabeu when he was booed, he explained how he dealt with criticism from fans.
Tchouameni was booed by Real Madrid fans. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
“I was made a scapegoat. In the first 10–20 minutes, the stadium booed every time I touched the ball.
“That situation either destroys you, or you think ‘that’s just how it is’; let’s see what I can control, and the only thing I can control is my performance.
“The level of pressure at Real Madrid is a bit different. People are going to talk about everything you do, whether it’s good or bad,” he added.
The French midfielder went on to highlight how those experiences have shaped his mentality and helped him grow stronger:
“Everyone was talking about me, about my style of play. A year or two ago I was a bad player.
“I was booed at the stadium, so I felt I’d been through a lot, and it definitely helped me mentally.
“Now I know that no matter what I do, people are going to talk, so I simply don’t pay any attention to it.
“Playing for Real Madrid is the biggest stage in sport: the pressure is a privilege,” he concluded.
Source: Mundo Deportivo
