Brazilian international Vinicius Junior, who has Cameroonian heritage, addressed the media ahead of Real Madrid’s much-anticipated Champions League last-16 clash with Atletico Madrid.
This marks the first European derby between the two rivals since 2017, adding extra significance to the encounter. With the first leg set to take place at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday, Real Madrid will be aiming to secure an early advantage before what promises to be a challenging return leg.
Speaking at the press conference, Vinicius acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming match but expressed confidence in the team’s ability to deliver a strong performance.
On His 300-Game Milestone
Reflecting on his achievement of reaching 300 appearances for the club, the forward shared his excitement about the journey so far.
“I keep experiencing incredible moments in this shirt, fulfilling my dreams. Hopefully, we can maintain the chemistry we’ve built this season. Since the City game, we’ve been improving. This is going to be a fantastic match, and I hope the fans will be with us. We’ll give everything to make it a special night for them,” Vinicius said.
On Refereeing in Europe vs. La Liga
When asked about the difference in officiating between European competitions and La Liga, Vinicius was candid in his response.
“I do believe referees in Europe provide more protection to players who entertain, and that’s important for us. We don’t like to discuss referees too much, but of course, they need to officiate fairly,” he stated.
On His Future at Real Madrid
Amid speculation about potential offers from Saudi Arabia, Vinicius reaffirmed his commitment to Real Madrid, making it clear that his focus remains on the club.
“I’m very calm about my future because I have a contract until 2027, and hopefully, we can extend it soon. I’m happy here, living my dream of playing with the best players, under the best coach, and for the best president. Everyone at the club values me, and I couldn’t be in a better place.”
When asked if he would stay at Madrid despite any lucrative offers, he left no room for doubt.
“Yes, I’m here to continue making history, to build on everything this club has given me. I want to score more goals, play more matches, and keep winning. My dream was always to play for Real Madrid, and now I have the chance to achieve even more.”
On the Ballon d’Or Debate
Addressing the ongoing Ballon d’Or discussions, Vinicius made it clear that he held no grudges over the outcome and explained why he skipped the awards ceremony.
“I didn’t feel betrayed. People vote based on what they believe, and I have my own opinions, just like my teammates do. They support me a lot. I never dreamed of winning the Ballon d’Or, but when you get close, of course, you want it.
“I’ll have more chances to win trophies and awards, but my priority is winning titles with this club. I’ve already won two Champions Leagues, and I want more. As for the Ballon d’Or gala, I simply followed the club’s instructions—they told me to stay in Madrid, so I did,” he concluded.
