Vinicius Junior has given Real Madrid fans hope for the future as he reiterated a desire to stay at the club amidst transfer speculations.
Vini Jr is in hot form for Real Madrid this season and has become one of the subjects of recent transfer speculation. Speaking ahead of the Madrid derby in LaLiga at the weekend, the Brazilian forward quelled the latest transfer news surrounding him.
The 21-year-old Brazilian prodigy, currently valued at €100 million by Real Madrid and €50 million by football data collection platform Transfermarkt, was asked by Spanish outlet Movistar what he thinks of his valuation and what price he would put on himself.
“Better not to put anything and remain at Real Madrid,” Vinicius answered. “The most important thing for me is to win with the team and win many titles with Real Madrid.”
Vinicius Jr confident of Ballon d’Or nomination in the future
The winger is repaying the trust of Real Madrid in him, who brought him from Flamengo in Brazil to Spain in 2018 for €45 million.
After an underwhelming first three seasons, he has already scored 12 times and provided seven assists in 22 matches across all competitions for Los Blancos this season.
The Brazil international is confident that he can become one of the main candidates for the Ballon d’Or if he keeps these performances up for Real Madrid in Spain and Europe.
“I have to work hard [to win the Ballon d’Or],” Vinicius Jr said when asked by Movistar about his Ballon d’Or chances in the future.
“I have to keep playing here, do things well and always be at my best. If I keep playing like this, of course I can win it, but the main thing for me is to win with the team and win many titles with Real Madrid.”
Carlo Ancelotti praises Vini Jr and Rodrygo for defensive contributions
Vinicius has been impressive in all facets of the game, and not just in attack which is his primary responsibility. Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti singled him and the club’s other Brazilian youngster Rodrygo Goes for praise, calling “unsung defensive heroes” this season.
After a shaky start due to key injuries in the defence, Real Madrid have regained a good balance defensively speaking.
Los Blancos have only conceded 15 times in 16 games this season thanks to a solid defensive pairing of David Alaba and Eder Militão and the heroics of Thibaut Courtois.
However, defence in football begins from the front and Ancelotti has praised both forwards for their contributions to the side’s general defensive record.
“Courtois had a great game against Sevilla, Militao the same,” he told Mundo Deportivo. “Alaba continues playing with a lot of quality, Mendy also.
“That’s after the good work in front of them. Vini Jr, for example, he has stood out for what he has done with the ball, but is also doing very good work without the ball, Rodrygo equally.
“The defensive work of those two helped the team to avoid conceding goals.”
According to stats collection website WhoScored, Vinicius Jr averages 1.5 tackles per game in all competitions. Sofascore puts his statistics for duels won at 51% in all competitions.
Madrid fans will be looking forward to more, and will be hoping that Vinicius Jr makes the Ballon d’Or nominees next season.
