close
close

first Drop

Com TW NOw News 2024

Vinicius Jr.: Ballon d’Or favorite promises future to Real Madrid, Brazilian superstar ‘wants to stay forever’
news

Vinicius Jr.: Ballon d’Or favorite promises future to Real Madrid, Brazilian superstar ‘wants to stay forever’

Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr. has committed his future to Spanish giants Real Madrid and rejected reported interest from the Saudi Pro League.

After reports circulated last summer that the Brazilian was the subject of a bid from Saudi clubs, the forward made his intentions clear after Tuesday’s victory.

“I’m only 24. I want to stay here forever and contribute as much as I can to this team, which has given me everything since I arrived here,” said the Brazilian.

“(Carlo) Ancelotti told me to keep going, that I can always do more. But we have to improve and play like that from the start, otherwise the coach won’t be able to handle it.”

Madrid came from two goals behind to beat Dortmund and claim their second Champions League win of the season, following their opening win over Stuttgart and a defeat to Lille last time out.

Vinicius, who scored the last time Madrid and Dortmund met in last season’s final at Wembley Stadium as the Spanish side claimed their 15th title, added: “This is our competition and we want to win it again.”

Vasquez: Vini Champions League performance ‘one to show the children’

Vinicius’ goals against Dortmund kept him off track in the Champions League this season.

His first came in the 62nd minute to complete the comeback and level the score, two minutes after Antonio Rudiger had halved the deficit.

Late on, Vinicius added a quick double to complete his hat-trick and ensure the points stayed in the Spanish capital.

Stand-in captain Lucas Vazquez scored the goal to put Madrid ahead, and after the match heaped praise on the role “the world’s most decisive player” played in the turnaround.

“Vini Jr. had an incredible second half,” he said. “It’s one of showing the kids that they understand how football should be played, with that intensity and that hunger to go after the goals.

“He showed again that he is the most decisive player in the world. He had an incredible second half.”

Madrid director Emilio Butragueno was also dazzled by the winger’s performance and made a stark comparison as he reminisced about Vinicius’ third goal to end a memorable evening at the Bernabeu.

“It reminded me of Pele,” Butragueno claimed. “It’s a beautiful goal. The way he ran, the way he pretended to dribble past the defender. A beautiful goal.”

“For those of us who love football, it justifies coming here to the Bernabeu and that a player can offer that game that evokes a lot of emotion and admiration.”

Stream the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League live on TNT Sports and Discovery+