Ballon d'Or, referees, his future... Vinicius Jr lets loose

In a press conference ahead of the Madrid derby in the Champions League scheduled for Tuesday March 4, Vinicius Jr. spoke frankly about his future, his tensions with referees, and his absence from the Ballon d'Or ceremony.

On his future at Real Madrid:

I'm happy because I have a contract until 2027 and I hope to renew it as soon as possible. I'm happy here, with the best manager, the best fans, everyone loves me and I wouldn't be better off anywhere else. I'm here to continue the story and for everything the chairman and the club have given me. I've come this far as I wanted to when I was a kid, and I want to stay here.

About referees and his temperament on the pitch:

When the referees don't show cards to the others and I protest for the first time and they show me a card, I do a lot of things I shouldn't do. With each match, I get better and calmer. People forget that I'm only 24 and have a lot to learn. In Europe, referees are more protective of players who put on a show. We don't like talking about referees, but of course it's important to us that they whistle well.

On his absence from the Ballon d'Or ceremony:

People vote for what they believe. I have my own ideas. I've never dreamed of winning the Ballon d'Or - when you're close you believe in it - but I'm going to have other opportunities. I've already won two European Cups and I'm here to win many more. I'm doing what the club tells me to do, they asked me to stay and I've remained calm.

With his winning mentality and determination to learn, Vinicius looks set to continue writing his history in a Real Madrid shirt, regardless of the controversy.

Aliou Toundé |

Editorfr