Benfica's Prestianni Faces Worldwide Ban for Two World Cup Matches After Vinicius Abuse

Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni will sit out Argentina's first two matches at this summer's World Cup if he makes the squad. FIFA has extended his ban for abusing Vinicius Jr to competitions worldwide.

The 20-year-old received a six-match suspension from UEFA last month. He admitted to using homophobic language against Real Madrid's Vinicius during their Champions League clash in February.

Prestianni has served a provisional one-match ban already. He faces two more games, with the remaining three suspended for two years.

FIFA accepted UEFA's request to apply the ban globally.

Prestianni has appeared once for Argentina, in a friendly against Angola in November 2025.

Vinicius first accused Prestianni of racial abuse, a charge Prestianni denied. A guilty finding there would have meant at least a 10-match ban from European competitions.

Without a World Cup call-up, Prestianni will serve the ban in next season's Champions League or Europa League. Benfica is still in the fight for European qualification.