Entrevista a Vinicius en El Larguero (19/03/2019)

Vinicius Jr. Discusses Injury and Career Journey

Initial Thoughts on Recovery

• Vinicius expresses gratitude for the opportunity to speak and shares that he is recovering well from his injury. He mentions that Madrid fans are eager to know when he will return, but no specific timeline has been set yet.

Emotional Impact of Injury

• Reflecting on the moment of his injury, Vinicius describes feeling a sense of helplessness and frustration rather than just physical pain. He recalls being in a good form before the incident and how it affected him emotionally.

Social Media Presence

• Vinicius acknowledges his active presence on social media, sharing feelings about how quickly things have progressed in his career. He emphasizes the importance of staying grounded despite rapid changes in his life as a young athlete.

First Interview Insights

• This interview marks one of Vinicius's first opportunities to share his thoughts publicly outside Brazil, highlighting both excitement and nervousness about discussing his journey with Real Madrid fans.

Current State and Future Expectations

• He reassures listeners that he is taking steps towards recovery and aims to return before the end of the season, indicating optimism about rejoining the team soon.

Vinicius Jr.'s Background and Aspirations

Defining Himself to Fans

• When asked how he would describe himself to Real Madrid supporters, Vinicius states he is a player eager to win and play alongside top talents, emphasizing family support throughout his journey.

Early Beginnings in Football

• Vinicius recounts starting football at age four, showcasing early talent as an attacking player who enjoyed playing on both wings throughout childhood.

Transition from Brazil to Europe

• He reflects on receiving attention from clubs after performing well with Brazil’s youth national team at age 16, marking a pivotal moment in his career trajectory toward Europe.

Decision-Making Process for Club Choice

• Discussing offers from Barcelona and Real Madrid, Vinicius reveals that while both clubs showed interest, he ultimately chose Madrid due to its strong project for future development which aligned with his aspirations.

Family Influence on Career Choices

Career Journey and Adaptation in Madrid

Initial Choices and Financial Considerations

• The speaker discusses their decision to join Real Madrid over Barcelona, despite the latter offering a higher salary. They emphasize wanting the best project for their career.

Early Experiences with Coaches

• The transition to playing for Castilla is mentioned, highlighting the arrival of coaches Lopetegui and Solari. The speaker notes limited playtime under Lopetegui but acknowledges his positive influence.

Support from Coaches

• A heartfelt tweet expressing gratitude towards Solari is shared, indicating that he believed in the speaker's potential and provided opportunities to play.

Transitioning Between Coaches

• Concerns about adapting to new coaching styles arise after Solari's departure. The speaker expresses hope that the new coach will also recognize their talent.

Personal Reflections on Pressure and Expectations

• The speaker reflects on being a young player with a significant transfer fee attached to them, stating they remain calm by focusing on advice from family rather than external pressures.

Life in Madrid

Family Life and Adaptation

• Discussion about family settling in Madrid reveals satisfaction with life there, including educational pursuits of younger siblings.

Cultural Adjustments

• The speaker shares light-hearted reflections on missing aspects of Brazil while adjusting well to life in Spain, indicating a smooth transition overall.

Future Aspirations

Ambitions as a Young Player

• Expresses desire to compete at high levels without feeling overwhelmed by pressure from prestigious matches or tournaments.

Influences and Inspirations

Aspirations and Playing Style

Desire to Join Real Madrid

• The speaker expresses a strong desire to play for Real Madrid, indicating that they believe they could integrate well with the team in a short time.

• They mention the importance of discussing player positions, particularly on the right wing, where they have experience.

Influences and Role Models

• When asked about football influences, the speaker cites Neymar as a key figure alongside Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who dominate awards like the Ballon d'Or.

• They acknowledge Cristiano's success at Real Madrid and how it resonates with fans.

Personal Development as a Player

Strengths and Areas for Improvement

• The speaker identifies their dribbling skills as their strongest asset but admits to needing improvement in scoring accuracy.

• They discuss working hard to overcome anxiety related to goal-scoring opportunities.

Support from Teammates

• The interview highlights how support from teammates has been crucial in their development, especially during challenging times when results were poor for Real Madrid.

Personality Traits in Football

Importance of Personality

• The speaker emphasizes personality as a defining trait that sets them apart from other players, suggesting it is more important than technical or physical abilities.

• They reflect on how their strong personality helped them cope with early challenges in their career.

Training vs. Natural Ability

• A discussion arises about whether goal-scoring ability can be trained or if it's innate; the speaker believes it can definitely be improved through practice.

Learning from Experience

Mentorship and Guidance

• The influence of experienced players like Marcelo is noted; they provide guidance on improving gameplay speed and decision-making during matches.

Background Influence on Playstyle

• Reflecting on their humble beginnings, the speaker discusses how growing up in a challenging environment shaped their approach to football positively.

Impressions and Aspirations of a Brazilian Footballer

Future Legacy in Brazilian Football

• The speaker reflects on their aspirations to become a legendary figure in Brazilian football, comparing themselves to icons like Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. They express hope to be mentioned alongside Neymar as one of the best Brazilians in history.

Commitment to Excellence

• The individual emphasizes their dedication to working hard and staying among the best players, both at Real Madrid and with the national team. They aim for significant achievements in their career.

Zidane's Motivational Words

• A memorable moment is shared regarding Zidane's encouragement upon their introduction to the team, highlighting how it provided motivation during challenging times, especially when recovering from an injury.

Celebrating Goals with Passion

• The speaker discusses their first goal for Real Madrid, which was not aesthetically pleasing but celebrated joyfully as if it were a crucial match-winning goal, showcasing their passion for the game.

Personal Reflections on Performance

• Reflecting on early performances, they mention feeling happy after scoring a beautiful goal in their second match with Madrid and draw parallels with Raúl’s confidence at a young age about winning games. They ponder whether they have that same confidence now.

The Future of Brazilian Talent

Comparisons with Current Stars

• The conversation shifts towards current talents like Neymar and Mbappé, suggesting that upcoming players such as Rodrygo and Vinícius are expected to surpass them in skill and impact within Real Madrid.

Skill Development Expectations

• There is optimism expressed about Rodrygo's potential growth into a top player who can contribute significantly to the team's success over time, emphasizing his impressive skills on the field.

Perceptions of Brazilian Players

Stereotypes vs Reality

• The speaker addresses stereotypes surrounding Brazilian players' lifestyles, acknowledging past examples like Ronaldinho but asserting that not all Brazilians fit this mold; discipline is essential while playing professionally.

Balancing Life Off the Field

• They clarify that while it's acceptable for players to enjoy life outside football during vacations, focus should remain solely on performance during active seasons. This balance is crucial for maintaining professionalism.

Aiming for Individual Honors

Aspirations for Ballon d'Or

• Discussing personal goals, they express ambition to win the Ballon d'Or by age 30 or 26 when fully matured as a player, indicating strong self-belief in achieving this prestigious accolade through hard work and talent development.

Historical Context of Winning Awards

• The speaker notes how difficult it has been recently for players other than Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to win major awards like the Ballon d'Or since Luka Modric achieved it ten years ago; they aspire to change this narrative through exceptional performance.

Building Relationships Within Team Dynamics

Connections with Teammates

• Emphasizing camaraderie within Real Madrid’s squad, they highlight relationships formed since joining—particularly mentioning Casemiro and Marcelo—and how these bonds enhance teamwork on the pitch despite initial challenges adapting to new surroundings.

Learning from Legends

Valladolid and Personal Reflections

Insights on Early Career and Influences

• The speaker reflects on their early career at Valladolid, emphasizing the importance of absorbing advice from experienced players, particularly during their time at Flamengo.

• They discuss the infectious joy of football, noting how it resonates with fans in significant matches, especially at the Bernabéu during crucial games against rivals like Barcelona and Juventus.

Leadership and Team Dynamics

• The speaker describes a moment when they felt like a leader on the field, highlighting how teammates looked to them for motivation during challenging times.

• They recount a specific match against Real Sociedad where they performed well despite not scoring, earning applause for their effort and leadership.

Future Aspirations and Fan Engagement

• The discussion shifts to aspirations within Real Madrid, expressing hope for future successes while acknowledging the current season's challenges.

• The speaker reassures fans about their commitment to achieving greatness with the team moving forward.

Addressing Team Cohesion

• They address potential locker room issues, asserting that team dynamics are strong and focused on collective success rather than individual conflicts.

• Acknowledgment of Isco's situation is made; however, emphasis is placed on unity among players and coaching staff.

Personal Life and Interests

• The conversation touches upon personal interests outside football, including family time and hobbies such as playing video games.

• The speaker shares insights into their social media presence, indicating a desire to maintain a professional image while enjoying typical youth activities.

Cultural Connections through Music

Real Madrid Insights and Player Recovery

Reflections on Joining Real Madrid

• The speaker reflects on their experience of joining Real Madrid, recalling the moment they were welcomed by the president with a statement about their future at the club.

• There is an emphasis on the significance of being part of Real Madrid, highlighting a commitment to stay with the team throughout their career.

Career Aspirations and Loyalty

• The discussion touches upon loyalty to Real Madrid, with a strong assertion that moving to Barcelona is not an option for them.

• The speaker acknowledges that life can be unpredictable, suggesting that circumstances may change in the future.

Message to Fans During Recovery

• A heartfelt message is directed towards fans, particularly those supporting during the player's recovery from injury.

• The player expresses determination and hard work in rehabilitation, indicating optimism about returning to play soon.