Voted man of the match in the Champions League semi-finals, Vinicius Junior guaranteed his presence in the second European final of his career, playing a leading role. The Brazilian, who scored the 14th Champions League title for Real Madrid two years ago, now dreams of being decisive again, in London, on June 1st, against Borussia Dortmund. And he looks like a strong candidate for the best player in the world award.
After Real’s classification against Bayern, last Wednesday, the number 7 was asked about the possibility of fighting for the Ballon d’Or. And he took the focus off the individual award, focusing on collective achievements with the club and also for Brazil.
— I have to say that I want to win another Champions League with this team, with this squad. And that I can do great things this season. And then there’s everything with the Brazilian team. I always think about the cast, about doing the best for the team and then for myself. Everyone talks about the Ballon d’Or, but I’m very calm. If it has to be, it will be at the right time — said Vini to “TNT Sports”.
With 21 goals and nine assists in 36 matches in 2023/24, Vinicius was decisive for Real Madrid to compete in their 18th Champions League final. It was Vinicius, scorer of the two goals in the 2-2 draw in the first leg, who scored the shot that led to Madrid’s equalizing goal in the second leg. Neuer failed to defend the shot, and Joselu completed it, in the 43rd minute of the second half. Then, the Spaniard secured the turnaround.
— We have 25 protagonists in this team, everyone worked very hard this season to reach the objective, which was to go to London no matter what and win the League. We’ve already won the league, we’re already in London, we’re going to celebrate until Sunday. We have to go to Cibeles to celebrate with our fans. The prize is for all players, who do everything possible. Today Joselu came on for 80 minutes and scored two goals. The award is his too, he always worked to do better for the team and never complained about sometimes not playing. This shows our group, I have never played in a group as united as this season — said Vinicius.
The 24-year-old player said that the squad promised to win a place in the June 1st decision for Courtois, Militão and Alaba, athletes who missed a large part of the season due to physical problems.
— We put the greatest team in the world back in another final, with a lot of teamwork. It’s the prize for Courtois, Militão, Alaba, who were out all season. We had to crown them with this trip to London. We told them they would be in the final. We play for them, for the whole family, for this shirt that always does incredible things again — commented Vinicius.
Real Madrid still has four more games to play in the Spanish Championship before ending the season in the Champions League final, on June 1st, at Wembley Stadium, in England. The Spaniards need to overcome Borussia Dortmund in the match, at 4pm (Brasília time), to win the 15th trophy of the competition. GE will follow the final in Real Time.
