Vinicius Junior has reiterated his strong desire to continue his career with Real Madrid, expressing his gratitude to the club and his ambition to create a lasting legacy in the famous white shirt.
Despite ongoing speculation linking the 24-year-old winger with a record-breaking transfer to Saudi Arabia, he remains focused on extending his tenure with Los Blancos. Spanish reports have suggested that while Vinicius and his representatives recently turned down Madrid’s latest contract offer, discussions are ongoing as club officials seek to meet his expectations.
The Brazilian international is keen for his new deal to reflect both his stature at the club and his place among the world’s elite players. Speaking ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League last-16 clash against city rivals Atletico, Vinicius made it clear that he has no plans to leave the Spanish capital anytime soon.
“I’m very relaxed about the situation because my contract runs until 2027, and I hope we can finalize a renewal soon,” Vinicius stated in a pre-match press conference. “I am happy here, playing alongside the best footballers in the world, under the best coach [Carlo Ancelotti], and with the best president [Florentino Pérez]. Everyone at the club values me, and there is no better place for me.”
Reflecting on his ambitions, he added, “I want to make history here. This club has given me so much, and I want to repay that by scoring more goals, playing more games, and securing more titles. It was my childhood dream to wear this jersey, and now that I’m here, my goal is to continue winning and earning my place among the club’s many great legends.”
Real Madrid’s Ballon d’Or boycott and Vinicius’ absence
One of the biggest controversies of late 2024 involved Vinicius being overlooked for the Ballon d’Or, with the award going to Manchester City’s Rodri instead. The decision led to a complete boycott of the ceremony by Real Madrid players and officials, as the club expressed its dissatisfaction over the outcome.
Vinicius, in particular, faced backlash for not attending the event, but he has since clarified that his absence was not a personal decision. Instead, he was following instructions from the club hierarchy.
“I simply did what Real Madrid asked me to do. They requested that I remain in Madrid, so I complied without any hesitation,” he explained. “Now, we just look forward to the next award ceremony.”
Although the Ballon d’Or snub was a disappointment, Vinicius remains focused on achieving success with Real Madrid. “I never grew up dreaming about winning the Ballon d’Or, but when you find yourself so close to it, of course, you want to win. Still, my priority is winning more trophies with this club,” he stated. “I have already won two Champions League titles, and I am determined to secure many more in the years ahead.”
