Thibaut Courtois has strongly criticised José Mourinho for his reaction to Vinicius Jr’s goal celebration during UEFA Champions League clash between Real Madrid and Benfica.

The controversy erupted after Vinicius scored the decisive goal in Madrid’s 1-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League play-off first leg.

His celebration was perceived by sections of the Benfica crowd as provocative, triggering heated reactions inside the stadium.

Following the match, Mourinho publicly addressed the incident, with comments widely interpreted as linking the celebration to the alleged racist abuse directed at Vinicius.

Courtois, however, rejected any suggestion that a player’s celebration could justify discrimination.

Speaking after the game, the Real Madrid goalkeeper made his position clear: racism can never be excused under any circumstance.

He stressed that Vinicius has never falsely accused opponents of racism and fully backed his teammate’s claims regarding abusive remarks allegedly made during the encounter.

Courtois further revealed that Vinicius played a key leadership role at a tense moment in the match. According to him, the Brazilian winger chose to continue the game despite the emotional toll of the incident.

He added that had Vinicius decided to walk off in protest, the entire Real Madrid squad would have followed in solidarity.

The Champions League racism row has drawn widespread condemnation across European football. Several current stars and former players have voiced support for Vinicius, reinforcing calls for stronger anti-racism measures in the sport.

As the investigation unfolds, the incident has once again highlighted football’s ongoing battle against racial abuse — and the importance of zero tolerance, regardless of on-field celebrations or rivalries.