Vinicius Junior, the Brazilian sensation, has firmly expressed his desire to stay with Real Madrid, quashing rumors surrounding his potential transfer to Saudi Arabian clubs. Speaking on the eve of the Champions League clash against Atlético Madrid, Vinicius revealed his contentment at the club, emphasizing his long-term contract until 2027.
"I am very calm because I have a contract until 2027 and I hope we can renew it as soon as possible. I am living my dream with the best players, the best coach, and the best president. I couldn’t be at a more perfect place than here," Vinicius stated during the press conference held on March 3rd.
The Brazilian winger's comments come after Real Madrid reportedly received an astonishing offer worth around $500 million from the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia earlier this year. The proposal was said to involve transferring Vinicius to one of the top clubs under Saudi ownership, including Al Ahli, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, and Al Nassr, and offered him a staggering salary of $240 million per season over five years. Despite the life-changing financial package, Vinicius chose to reject the offer, signaling his commitment to Los Blancos.
Adding to his impact on the pitch, Vinicius spoke about his desire to excel with Real Madrid, especially following the recent Ballon d'Or controversy. His performance had placed him among the favorites for the prestigious accolade, but he finished second to Rodri from Manchester City. The decision for Vinicius not to attend the ceremony at the start of the year reportedly came from the club itself. "The Ballon d'Or? People vote based on what they believe. I have my own opinion and my teammates do as well. Of course, when you’re close to winning the Ballon d'Or, you want to win it, but I’ll have many opportunities to do so again. It was the club's decision not to go to the award ceremony. I always do what the club asks me to do, and they asked me to stay in Madrid," he explained.
Vinicius also reflected on interactions with fans, recalling moments when he faced ridicule during matches, especially following his runner-up position for the Ballon d'Or. For example, during the first leg against Manchester City, Vinicius endured taunts from the English fans who displayed a mosaic featuring Rodri holding the award accompanied by the phrase, "Stop crying so much!" He recalled how Real Madrid managed to advance with remarkable aggregate scores of 6-3.
Now, with the focus shifted to the Champions League, Real Madrid will face local rivals Atlético Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu on March 4th. Hosting the match is expected to draw significant attention, especially as Vinicius prepares for his debut appearance against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League. "It will be a great match. We enjoy the classics. We always look forward to these games, and it will be my first time in the Champions League against Atlético Madrid. It will be a huge celebration for our fans," he stated, ramping up excitement as the game approaches.
With Vinicius Junior firmly rooted at Real Madrid and gearing up for one of the biggest matches of the season, fans of the club remain hopeful for continued success both domestically and internationally. His rejection of the lucrative Saudi Arabian offer not only highlights his commitment to the club but also reiterates the star power he brings to the squad.
The much-anticipated clash between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid will kick off at 17:00 (local time) on March 4th, with the return leg slated for the following week on March 12th at the Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano.