Real Madrid News
Albacete forward reveals touching gesture from Real Madrid superstar: ‘He surprised me in a very good way’
Real Madrid were stunned in the Copa del Rey after Jefte Betancor produced a dramatic performance that helped eliminate the Spanish giants from the tournament.
The 32-year-old forward, currently playing for Albacete, suddenly became one of the most talked-about players in Spanish football after scoring a decisive brace that secured the historic victory.
While Betancor’s goals grabbed the headlines, the striker also shared an interesting story about what happened after the match involving Vinicius Jr.
Speaking during an interview with the Feeberse YouTube channel, Betancor revealed that he had hoped to exchange shirts with the Real Madrid star even before the match started.
He explained that he had asked a former teammate to help pass on the request.
“Vini surprised me in a very good way. I had spoken to a teammate at Olympiacos who I get on very well, and who is close to Vini, and I said to him, ‘Send him a message, I’m playing against him tomorrow and ask him to give me his shirt or something’.
“Then, coincidentally, we were in the stadium and I was talking to Raul Asencio and when we went to the dressing room, the three of us were left alone,” he remembered.
The chat with Vinicius
Betancor then explained that he briefly spoke with Vinicius after the game, where the Brazilian made a promise that impressed him.
“I spoke to him briefly, and he said, ‘See you later, and I’ll give you the shirt, don’t worry, bro.’
“He was a really humble guy, which I think is something you don’t see on camera, because he transforms when he’s playing football.
“I understand him and, as a football player myself, I can agree with him on many things because I’m just as competitive.”
The striker admitted that he initially doubted whether the exchange would actually happen, especially considering Real Madrid had just suffered a painful defeat.
However, what happened next left him pleasantly surprised.
“At the end of the game, I thought he’d be angry, and I had to go and do a lot of interviews.
“I wasn’t going to ask him for it because I was embarrassed; I’m a very shy person. Then Raúl, my goalkeeper, came up to me and said, ‘Vini came to the locker room to see you and brought you the jersey and took yours because he wanted to take yours.’
“So I was very happy because you think, ‘He remembered,’” he concluded.
Real Madrid youngster Endrick continues to attract interest from several clubs ahead of another potential loan move in the upcoming January transfer window.
The latest side considering a move for the Brazilian forward is Aston Villa.
Indeed, according to reports relayed by Bernabeu Digital, the Premier League club are interested in signing the Real Madrid striker on loan in January.
No minutes for Endrick
Endrick has had very limited opportunities under Jose Mourinho this season. Across Real Madrid’s nine matches in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, the Brazilian has played just four minutes, coming on in the 86th minute against Elche.
Such limited playing time has left the young forward struggling to gain the minutes and experience needed to develop his talent at Real Madrid.
As such, another loan move, like last January when he left for Olympique Lyon, could offer him a chance to play more regularly and continue his progression.
Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, have now emerged as an interested party to acquire the Brazilian international’s services on loan for the second half of the season.
AC Milan also interested in Endrick
Howver, Aston Villa are not the only club monitoring Endrick’s situation. AC Milan have also renewed their interest in the Brazilian forward.
The Rossoneri already held an interest in the 20-year-old forward during the summer transfer window and are knocking on the doors once again now.
In fact, some reports in Italy even go on to suggest that the youngster is ready to pounce on the opportunity to sign for the Serie A giants.
For now, however, there have been no concrete developments or formal approaches from any interested club.
Real Madrid are understood to be open to allowing Endrick to leave on loan, but they are not considering a permanent sale as they still have a lot of faith in the promising attacker whom they signed from Palmeiras.
With Aston Villa and AC Milan both interested, the coming months could prove important in determining where the young Brazilian will continue his development.
