Real Madrid News
Vinicius talks Super Cup, Ancelotti, UCL, Flamengo, fashion, and Real Madrid dreams
Scorer of the previous season’s UEFA Champions League final, Vinicius Jr has said that he wants to win five or six Champions League titles with Real Madrid and that he wants to be as influential as some of the best players who have played for the team.
Speaking ahead of Real Madrid’s UEFA Super Cup final against Eintracht Frankfurt, the young forward said, “I admire the players who have achieved so much at this club, the biggest in the world,” he was quoted as saying by MARCA.
“Of course, I want to keep winning here and play for a long time to win as much as them. Win five or six Champions Leagues and be as influential as some of the best players who have worn the Madrid shirt,” he added.
When asked about the favourite moment of his Real Madrid career, the 22-year-old pressed on the second leg of last season’s Champions League semi-final against Manchester City.
“The match against City at the Bernabéu,” he quipped.
“In two minutes Rodrygo entered and scored two goals that took us to the final. The most important moment of the competition, I think, was that.”
“It was a very important moment for us, for me, for the whole team. After a great season, we had to end it with a victory in the final. I always say that I have about 15 years left in my career and I don’t know when my next one will be final.
“That’s why I had to enjoy it to the fullest. Scoring the winning goal was a unique feeling. There’s not much to say, to write, to talk about what it feels like. Only the people who have lived it, who have lived football as we experienced it last season, know how important it is and how happy it makes you,” said the youngster.
Speaking about the Real Madrid mentality and about how the season panned out last season, he added,
“It’s right in the DNA of this club and this shirt: always going out for the big games, players who know how to deal with those days. That was the key last season. Some games were emotional rollercoasters where everything seemed to go we wanted.”
Carlo Ancelotti’s arrival in June last year made a huge impact on Vinicius’ career so much so that he went on to enjoy the best scoring season of his entire career, having netted 22 times.
“He [Ancelotti] knew how to get the best out of us. He’s very kind and treats us like his children. He gives us peace of mind and confidence. And then there’s his great job preparing for the games.”
Furthermore, speaking candidly about Flamingo and his love for NBA, he expressed how deep the connection he has with both.
“I’ve been a Flamengo fan since I was little. I went to the Maracana recently and when the fans saw that I was there, they started chanting my name. That was very important to me because my heart belongs to the club that allowed me to be in Madrid now,” he explained.
“I like the NBA and I always see how the players arrive at the games. I am also a fan of Lewis Hamilton. Alaba and Camavinga share this passion. Camavinga walked the catwalk on the last Balenciaga catwalk.”
Lastly, when asked about the preparations for the Super Cup final, the 22-year-old said the players will do everything in their power to take the title back home.
“It is very important to try to win as many games as possible, especially if you want to win in competitions as important as the Super Cup. We will do everything possible to achieve the first piece of jewellery that appears in the season,” he concluded.
According to AS, Atletico Madrid have made the first approach for Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga, who has also been linked heavily with a move to Real Madrid and Arsenal.
The 20-year-old midfielder has emerged as one of the most exciting young prospects in Spanish football this season, having already netted nine goals in La Liga.
It has alerted a series of top-level clubs, with the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid all being linked with the youngster, who has a €40 million release clause in his contract with Celta.
Real Madrid are in the market for midfield reinforcements and have identified Jude Bellingham as their top target, but Veiga is also said to be on the agenda at the Santiago Bernabeu
However, recently, the Galician club’s president confirmed that there had been contact from clubs in England, but stated that Real Madrid had made no approach.
On top of that, a report from MARCA quoted a club source saying that they were not contemplating signing the 20-year-old.
Amidst this, it has now emerged that Atletico Madrid have made an approach towards signing Veiga from Celta Vigo in the summer transfer window.
The Rojiblancos are also in the market for new midfielders amid question marks over the futures of Saul Niguez and Geoffrey Kondogbia.
While Diego Simeone’s side have taken a first step, the report indicates that Veiga, in case of the absence of interest from Real Madrid, would prefer to join Arsenal.
So, the Colchoneros will need to put in efforts to convince the 20-year-old to choose them over a move to the Premier League club come summer if they are serious about adding the talented youngster to their roster for next season.
