Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni has said he was disappointed by UEFA for banning him for a game "without proof" following Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior's accusations that he racially abused him.
Speaking for the first time since the alleged incident during Benfica's Champions League playoff first leg against Real Madrid on Feb. 17, Prestianni told Telefe.
"I have never been racist, and I never will be. What hurt me the most was to be accused of something I never did," he said.
"It was something I didn't say, and they punished me without proof."
UEFA responded by suspending Prestianni for the second leg against Real Madrid, which saw the Spaniards win 2-1 to progress 3-1 on aggregate.
"I was very hurt that I couldn't play the return leg," he said. "But it's over."
UEFA's investigation of Prestianni is ongoing. Contacted by ESPN, UEFA said it would not comment on Prestianni's comments because of the investigation.
Benfica condemned what it described as a "smear campaign" of Prestianni.
"I'm very grateful to my club, which believed in me and supported me in every way," Prestianni said.
"Both the club and my teammates that showed me that [support] behind closed doors. [Benfica coach Jose] Mourinho is a great person. I spoke with him and my teammates to clarify things.
"I'm calm that those who know me know what type of person I am and that's enough for me."
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Prestianni, 20, says he is now focused on ending the season in strong fashion with Benfica to boost his chances of making Argentina's World Cup squad.
Having made his senior debut with Argentina in November, Prestianni was included in Lionel Scaloni's squad for the March international window but did not feature in recent wins over Mauritania and Zambia.
"I dream of being at the World Cup," he said. "That's what I'm working for every day, to have that opportunity. It's a pleasure to be with this squad fighting for a spot. I think I'm doing things really well at Benfica."