Vinicius: “I never considered leaving Real Madrid on a loan deal”

Real Madrid wonder kid Vinicius Junior has had a difficult sophomore season so far after a surprising debut campaign last year. The Brazilian attacker was frequently out of Real’s squad list and some reports suggested that he could have left the team on a loan deal this winter so that he could find the minutes he needs to gain experience and confidence.

Vinicius has talked to Esporte Interativo now that he’s playing better and revealed that he never considered that an option for his career.

“I never considered leaving Real Madrid and I know that in football everything chances by the minute. I never thought about that, always thought about staying, give my best and keep playing with the world’s best players. There’s nothing better than that and I know that joining another club would mean to decrease the quality of the training sessions and overall play,” said Vinicius.

The attacker has shown brilliant ability to dribble past opponents but his finishing has been poor during these two seasons. He’s not worried, though.

“In Flamengo’s academy I scored a lot of goals and now in professional football I play more on the wing and it becomes a bit more difficult, but I’m 19 years old. I’m improving because I have the support of the most experienced players who always manage to score, they keep me calm. Sterling was doing the same when he was my age, he wasn’t scoring much and this season I think he’s got like 15 or 16 goals, he keeps improving his numbers, so I know that my scoring punch will come. Zidane helps me improving my finishing and my moves when I shoot. It becomes easier with a coach who was a player first, he helps me so much in and out of the field. I train that with Bettoni and Zidane, I asked for it so that I could improve quickily,” explains a very mature Vinicius.

The young attacker is often compared to Rodrygo, who is following a similar path to Vinicius in his debut season with the club. They don’t have any kid of rivalry, though.

“There’s room for everyone here, it’s tough for us players and also for the coach. Zidane makes rotations and we usually have the same number of games and minutes, they’re all balanced, with the exception of Casemiro [laughs]. Rodrygo and I, we help each other. He was my friend in Brazil and I want to play with him in the national team. He’s a very good friend of mine, just like the rest of the Brazilian players. It’s true that I see Militao and Rodrygo more often when we’re not training because our ages are similar. We play videogames together,” reveals the winger.

Eden Hazard’s return to the team after the foot injury he picked up in November will likely affect Vinicius’ minutes unless he starts playing more consistently on the right wing. Vinicius isn’t worried, though.

“I’m not worried, I’m happy about him coming back! He’s an additional player for Zidane to rely on and he’s got impressive quality, so he will help us a lot. We need him and we want to have everyone available. About the right wing, it’s true that I have to improve a little. I had never played there and sometimes I have to do it here. It’s easier for me on the left, my goal will be to play on the left but if Zidane counts on me on the right it’s fine, although there are plenty of players for that position,” adds Vinicius.

The attacker wrapped up his interview by previewing the upcoming clash against Manchester City in the Champions League’s Round of 16.

“It’s going to be a great game, we have to be prepared. Our opponent doesn’t matter, Madrid are always tough in the Champions League, although it will be hard because City know how to play football,” concluded Vinicius.