Atletico Madrid track Prestianni, the player banned for insulting Vinicius

Atletico Madrid have turned their attention to Gianluca Prestianni, a 20-year-old Argentine forward at Benfica who has emerged as one of the breakout performers of the season in Portugal. The interest from the club's recruitment team carries extra weight because of the player's recent history with Vinicius Junior, whom he verbally abused with discriminatory insults during a Champions League match played in February 2026.

• Atletico Madrid are closely monitoring Gianluca Prestianni's progress at Benfica.
• The 20-year-old Argentine winger has eight goals and three assists in 12 matches this season.
• In February 2026 he received a six-match UEFA ban for insulting Vinicius Junior in the Champions League.
• His release clause is set at 100 million euros and his Benfica contract runs until 2029.
• Several Premier League clubs are also tracking him; his agent is Jorge Mendes.

How Prestianni would fit into Atletico Madrid's attacking setup

Prestianni is comfortable on either flank and can also operate as a second striker, a versatility that matches the profile typically sought by the club's coaching staff. His ability to cut inside from the wing, take on defenders and arrive in scoring positions makes him an appealing option to strengthen the attacking rotation in the coming seasons.

Prestianni's Benfica numbers this season

The Argentine international has started the campaign in impressive form. Across 12 appearances in the Portuguese league, the Europa League qualifying rounds and the main European competition, he has recorded eight goals and three assists. During the latest international break, he also found the net for Argentina's senior side in a heavy win over Burkina Faso.

The 100 million euro clause complicating any move

The biggest obstacle to any potential negotiation is the cost of his exit. Benfica secured the player with a release clause of 100 million euros, a figure that rules out a transfer not only for Atletico Madrid but for most of the clubs chasing him. With his contract valid until 2029, the Lisbon side is under no pressure to accept anything below their asking price.

A LaLiga reunion with Vinicius Junior that changes everything

If Atletico's interest ever materialized, Spanish football would witness a reunion packed with tension. Prestianni was handed a six-match suspension by UEFA after directing discriminatory insults at Vinicius Junior during a top European competition fixture played in February 2026. That episode remains on his record and now comes back into focus given the possibility of the two meeting in LaLiga.

Premier League competition and the Jorge Mendes factor

Atletico are not alone in the race for the young Argentine talent. Several English clubs have shown an interest in Prestianni, whose future is being handled by Jorge Mendes, one of the most influential agents in the European market. That combination —the financial power of the Premier League and Mendes' negotiating influence— adds further uncertainty to any attempt by the Madrid club to move ahead.

Frequently asked questions about Prestianni and Atletico Madrid