Vinicius Rejects Saudi Arabia: "I Couldn't Be in a Better Place Than Here"

Vinicius firmly dismissed the enticing offers from Saudi Arabia. "I am very calm because I have a contract until 2027 and hopefully we can renew it as soon as possible because I am happy here and fulfilling my dream. I couldn't be in a better place than here," the Brazilian emphasised ahead of the Euroderby that Real Madrid will play against Atlético on Tuesday at the Santiago Bernabéu. "I hope to keep scoring more goals and playing more matches in this jersey. My childhood dream was to get here. I want to make history at this club, where great legends have passed, and I want to be like them," he added.

"It will be a great match. We always enjoy a derby. We look forward to these important matches all season. It will be my first time in the Champions League, and I am excited to play such a big game," Vinicius expressed about the clash against Atlético, where Real Madrid needs to regroup after the harsh defeat they suffered against Betis on Saturday at the Benito Villamarín.

"In the last match, we lacked a bit of everything. We started very well, but after 20 minutes, we made too many mistakes. We did everything wrong. Tomorrow we cannot fail because we don't want to go home so early," explained Real Madrid's number 7, acknowledging Ancelotti's reprimand for the lack of commitment shown by the team in the aforementioned match against the verdiblanco side. "We need to defend better because if we don't, we won't win. The coach always talks to the front four to help the defence. They do everything so we can score more goals," he pointed out in a press conference where he confessed to feeling more at ease with the refereeing his team receives in the Champions League.

"Referees in Europe protect players who entertain more. That is important for us because we know they will penalise those who foul," Vinicius argued in an appearance where he reflected on the disappointment of not winning the Ballon d'Or last October. "People vote for what they believe. I have my thoughts. I never dreamed of winning the Ballon d'Or, but when you're close, you believe it, but I will have more opportunities. I've already won two European Cups, and I'm here to win many more," he noted before clarifying that he did not attend the gala because the club requested it. "I do what the club tells me. The club asked me to stay in Madrid," he added.

He admitted his share of responsibility for the numerous cards he has received this season, although he also considers himself a victim of the referees' lack of flexibility. "I do many things I shouldn't do, but in every match, I am improving and becoming calmer. Slowly, I am getting better. I've been here a long time, but people forget that I am 24 years old and still have a lot to learn, and I will keep learning until the end of my career," said a player who feels satisfied with the level he is showing, despite acknowledging the toll an exhausting schedule has taken on him.

"Now I am at my best. I've had injuries during the season, and with so many matches, you can't always be at 100 per cent. Every two or three days, we have to give our best, but it's not always possible. All players are playing with many discomforts this season. My season is going well. After scoring so many goals, people will demand more from me, but the best part of the season is coming, and we usually play much better at this stage of the season at Real Madrid," he asserted.