Vinicius: “Florentino tells me he's my biggest fan …”

Vincius gave an interview to TNT Sports Brasil. In the conversation with Tatiana Mantovani, the media's correspondent in Madrid, the Real Madrid player from Rio spoke about how his time at the white club is being, his relationship with other teammates such as Benzema or Hazard, the challenge of winning the Champions League and denied that At no time will he consider leaving on loan to another team in search of opportunities.

“How does it feel?”
-Good. I am happy with the last games that I am playing. To gain confidence again, win games and get closer to our main objective, which is the titles.

– Perhaps this season is being one of the most difficult for you, one of the most irregular in Madrid?
—It's always very complicated when you play without fans and it's a bit difficult to get used to. Last season we managed to win many games because of our physique and our technique. This season without playing at the Bernabéu is a bit complicated, the other teams don't play against that crowd and the pressure is different. But they know there are ups and downs in the season and we have to be prepared and mentally strong. Madrid demands a lot of pressure from all the players and we have to be focused to come out with a calm head and continue to pursue our goals.

– People say that it seems that Vinicius lost something this season, that he is not risking as much as he did before. Do you see it that way too?
“No, maybe I'm getting more mature and picking the right plays and trying to help the team in another way.”

– Do you feel 100% the confidence of the coach?
-Yes. I have 100% confidence in Real Madrid, in Zidane, in all the players who are here, in the president, who always gives me the greatest strength in the world and tells me that he is my biggest fan after my family. I am happy and content with that and I want to continue helping Real Madrid and put Madrid in the place where it should always be.

—It's his third season at Madrid. Is it a greater burden to deal with the pressure now that it is maturing?
—It is always a very big responsibility to play for Real Madrid, the greatest team in the world. But all the people at the club and my family, all those around me, give me the greatest possible peace of mind so that I worry about playing. I have responsibility on and off the field, but in which field I have to have fun. I am close to reaching 100 games for Madrid, so young and one of the three players with the most games at the club at 20 years old. I am happy and focused on what I have been doing here and listening to all the people who want to help me. I want to reach 200, 300 and more games with Madrid.

– Did it cross your head to leave on loan to have more opportunities or are you still focused on staying at Real Madrid?
-Do not. I've always been focused on wanting to be at Real Madrid with the best players and learning from them. I'm 20 years old and it seems like I've been playing here for a long time, but it's only the beginning of my career. I am growing with all the players here, in my position and in others. I want to stay at Real Madrid forever, continue building its history and help the team score more goals, give more assists, participate in more games and help Real Madrid more and more.

– How is your relationship with Hazard, with whom you dispute the position in the same position?
“There will always be competition.” Everyone wants to play and not be left out. Always talk to me. Off the field he is very good people. Is always happy. I am happy to be able to fulfill a dream, to play with Hazard. He is a great player, I watched what he did on television and how he risked with the ball. Being able to fight for the position with someone like him makes me happy too.

“Does he give you tips for dribbling like him?”
-Yes. He tells me to be calm and never stop taking risks.

“Ronaldo said you don't lack anything in your game.” Is it good to have the support of a club idol like Ronaldo? Does it give you more confidence?
-Definitely. Any player who defends me or gives me advice makes me happy. And coming from Ronaldo, who is one of the greatest players in the club and in our country, I feel happy and honored to have players like him watching me and giving me advice. I want to continue here doing what Ronaldo did. He knows my quality, where I can go and I know it too. With the tranquility of the work that I do every day and that my family gives me, I am going to play here for a long time.

—How is your relationship with Benzema after those images that came out in the Mönchengladbach tunnel where he told Mendy not to give the ball to you?
“It never changed and it never will.” Benzema is one of the players who defend me here, who did everything to help me here when nobody knew me and in these two and a half years. Outsiders don't know what really happened. At Real Madrid, the least that comes out of here causes a lot of repercussion.

– Now the Champions arrives. How it arrives? With renewed confidence, knowing that the rival is a complicated team? How does Vinicius arrive?
—With confidence always, at Real Madrid in all competitions we go with confidence, but more so in the Champions League, because of the weight of this shirt, because of all the Champions League it won. Here all the players know how to play that competition, they know the importance of the competition for the club and they have to be prepared, focused to go to the stage against another great team such as Atalanta, who have been playing good football.

“Are they forced to go to the fourth after two consecutive eliminations in the second round?”
-Yes. We feel the obligation to play well and do everything that is asked of us, to have a calm head, and then go through the phase, to leave Real Madrid at the top, which is where it should be.

—In the last Champions League game last season, you were left out, something that caused a lot of surprise. Was it a surprise for you to stay out too?
—Of course, I always want to play, help the team, but there are more players and Zidane has to choose. And at that moment, in the 90 minutes, he has to choose between the players. I was sad for not having entered (the field), but my head is calm and it is always an apprenticeship.

“Did that help you learn?”
-Yes always. All the episodes that happen here at Real Madrid, on and off the pitch, are all learning. I watch the games at home with my family and friends to see where I have to improve.

– He had great performances against Ajax and against Manchester City. Are you ready to be decisive against Atalanta?
“Yes, but they were different ages.” I want to go through the phase and take Madrid to the final.

-The Champions League is a great goal …
Yes, I have three titles with Real Madrid and I want more, and the Champions League is one of my great goals.

—And in individual terms, the Ballon d'Or?
-Yes. The road is very long. Not all players get there. Of the new generation, everyone is playing. Now there are some in Madrid and others in other teams … there are many boys who are going to score football.

“You speak as if you were 35 years old and had already lived a long time.” Which of these players are the ones that most attract your attention?
“They're all my age or close in age.” One of them is Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), whom I admire a lot, Haaland, Rodrygo, Ansu Fati … There are many players who are good and who are going to shine a lot in football.

—Whenever it is news for something positive, the Flamengo fans support it. Do you feel the love of the Flamengo fans?
-Yes of course. I always accompany Flamengo, and I know that they also accompany me and encourage me. That makes me happy. I know that Flamengo is fighting for Brasileirao and it also encourages me that they join me, and that it be for a long time.

—It's his third season at Real Madrid. What does Vinicius need to improve between now and the end of the season?
—I think I have to keep evolving and keep listening to my colleagues, who are the ones I enjoy talking to. And keep watching what my teammates and other players from other teams that I admire a lot do.