Real Madrid TOThe Brazilian speaks for MARCA of his three years of Madrid and the current moment S They have been three years since a 16-year-oldwill sign a contract with Real Madrid Vinicius Junior , one of the most talented players appeared in recent years.
After one more season inFlamengo , the Brazilian arrived and managed to become the offensive reference of the white team in a very difficult campaign. This season he was launched with the goal achieved against Barcelona, feelings that he hopes to recover with the return of the competition. “We really want to play again for the fans.I am very happy at Real Madrid and I want to thank all the fans, “the forward points to MARCA.
How have you been locked up at home for the two months?
At first, everything was very strange, it was a personal blow and for my family. Do not go out in the morning to train, or rallies, or trips, or football games … Very soon we understood the seriousness of the situation. Fortunately, the club’s medical services were very quick to notify us all.
Were you able to train regularly?
This was not a problem. Weird, yes, but it wasn’t a problem. From the first moment, the master and the coaching staff were on top of us, both individually and in special group sessions. It was something I could not forget, although we all liked to be able to forget it. We realized that we were living a very special moment in history. Because what is happening is truly incredible. Many people have suffered and continue to suffer throughout the world , and in Spain, as well as in my country, there is much sadness.
What else have you missed?
You never miss the little things until you lose them. Being able to take a walk down the street, go out to the cinema. In my professional case, life changes you absolutely. The road to Valdebebas, contact with colleagues, receiving instructions from the coaching staff, training sessions every day and recoveries in the afternoons … And of course, the matches and the noise of the fans. One is left without all that at once, from one day to the next and it is very rare
Have you been concerned about the situation we are experiencing?
Very much. Because besides, I was listening to very different explanations. Some said that it was little and others that it was very serious. I think we have all learned something from all this catastrophe: to give more value to people and simple things. The first weeks, the news was terrible because of the death toll. Terrible. The truth is that I put myself in the shoes of all the families that have lost someone they love and it has had to be very hard, not only because of the loss but because of the way they have left. If I have to summarize in some way my feeling is helplessness.
Have you been concerned about the situation we are experiencing?
Very much. Because besides, I was listening to very different explanations. Some said that it was little and others that it was very serious. I think we have all learned something from all this catastrophe: to give more value to people and simple things. The first weeks, the news was terrible because of the death toll. Terrible. The truth is that I put myself in the shoes of all the families that have lost someone they love and it has had to be very hard, not only because of the loss but because of the way they have left. If I have to summarize in some way my feeling is helplessness.
The news coming from Brazil is not positive …
They are terrible too. In my country they are having a very bad time, like a few weeks ago here in Spain. I have suffered a lot for Spain and now I am suffering a lot for Brazil. People are very scared and logical.
Have you ever thought that the season was going to end?
There were times, when the crisis was huge and the death toll was so high, that he thought that it was impossible for football or anything else to recover in a few months. But over time we begin to see the light. I imagine that is what has happened to all people. Now I am convinced that we will be able to recover things little by little. One of those things is soccer .
The photos he has shown say he has gained muscle and power, what are you looking for with the change?
Well, it is a consequence of these two months of very dedicated and very constant work. Without competition, with every day working regularly and disciplined, all muscles are exercised much more and more concretely. I don’t think I won in muscle. It gives me the feeling that we have all won because we have worked very hard and in a different way than we have done all our lives.
And in football , what has to improve?
I am sure, and I have heard the mister say it sometimes, that he learned things even in the last training session of his career. I have the same feeling. I am sure that everything can always be improved. And what I want is that each day I leave Valdebebas I am a little better at something than when I arrived that day.
Was your start at the club very difficult? Your adaptation? His fleeting time in Castilla?
All changes are important, and a change like that was enormous for me and for my environment. My whole world changed absolutely and people wanted to see immediately a great player, a boy who should not be affected by anything. But I knew that all great changes need great sacrifices. I was prepared for that, to work in silence, to sacrifice myself without seeing the great results immediately. It was very important to have a calm mind.
What remains of that boy from Famengo who is three years old today when his transfer to Real Madrid became official?
My roots remain, my memories, my people that I grew up with. But I brought to Spain the same enthusiasm for football and the same faith in myself. I grew up dreaming about soccer and today I continue dreaming about soccer . My passion has not changed. That passion made me very strong in a difficult world ; it is still new, intact and that makes me feel very strong.
His time at Castilla was quick, he left very good things and very soon he went to the first team, more pressure yet?
When you talk about the virtues of a player, you talk about how he plays, but he always forgets about a very important factor that can change a career, make it a success or a failure. Signing for the best club in the world has what it has: you not only have to be good, you have to be every day, and surrounded by the best in the world . Either you accept it or you don’t get anywhere.
There was talk of the goal, the toe, did it bother you?
I didn’t mind, of course not. I am the first to know that everything can be improved. Forever. Until the last day of my career. And so I want to continue all my life! Always convinced that I have to improve !! I’m the first at it. The day you don’t believe in this, then you will have to quit professional football . Because I have become a soccer professional for that, to respect my profession. To believe that I no longer have to improve something is to disrespect my profession. And I already tell you that it will never happen to me. I have to improve until the last day of my career.
The parón arrived at its best moment of the season …
I felt very close and I noticed that many of the things I was trying to do on the grass made it easy for me. He was getting a good balance between what he was trying and what he was achieving.
Did you ever have doubts when you weren’t playing?
I had no doubts. All of us who come to train think that we deserve a place. The position of the master is very complicated. I can blame bad luck, other things, but I am very demanding of myself. When I don’t play, what I think is that I have one day less to work and show that I have a hole. This is respecting football .
How many times have you seen the goal against Barcelona?
Ahhh, it was a very good goal, a very good pass from Toni. I have seen it a few times, of course, because it is victory with our fans it was very important. We really wanted to do something like that.
Do you think Real Madrid was better than Barcelona in both league games?
I’ve seen the games again and I still think about it. I think we were better than them at more things. We have done very good games so far and we have to regain our best feelings. We really want to return, to win. And we want to win this League for our fans. People have suffered a lot and we want to give Madrid fans a joy in the midst of this situation. We know that a victory in the League will not solve great tragedies, but it will be a smile, some happiness.
Eleven games, eleven finals and with a totally different football …
The result against Betis was a very great penalty. We now have before us the mission not to fail. We cannot fail and we will not fail.
We have to start at the top, are you ready?
Man, it’s true that it’s only been 11 days since we’ve returned, but everyone’s rhythm seems good. We still have a lot of group work because we cannot do it yet, but I am seeing all my colleagues very strong and very well. There is still a lot of work to do, but the sensations are very good.
And then comes the Champions League …
If the Champions League returns it will be great news not only for football , but for the world . Being able to play matches in other countries will be a very positive sign because we will be closer to normal. It is true that the result of the first leg was bad, but we are Real Madrid. Our obligation is to prepare well and if that game comes, that when it ends, all Madrid fans can say: they have given everything, we are proud.
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