Vinicius Junior rules out leaving Real Madrid this summer

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 19 May 2021 12:54 BST
• 2 min read

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior insists he wants to stay with the club for the rest of his career.

Under head coach Zinedine Zidane, the young Brazilian has started just 12 games in La Liga this season, contributing two goals and two assists in the minutes he has been given.

Though at times a trusted player under the Frenchman, his decent early-season form has taken a nosedive, while his 2021 has been littered with abject performances and a flurry of high-profile mistakes.

Los Blancos were recently knocked out of the Copa del Rey by minnows Alcoyano, and in that game he lost goalscorer Jose Solbes at the back post for the equalising goal, while in La Liga a few days later he gave away a penalty against Levante shortly after coming on for Eden Hazard, as Madrid lost 2-1.

His performances have led to the Spanish press to report that he could potentially be put up for sale this summer, with Madrid looking to raise funds for their pursuit of Kylian Mbappe.

Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham have all previously been credited with an interest in Vinicius Jr.

However, he says he is going nowhere.

“No. I’m always focused on wanting to be at Real Madrid, being with the best players, learning alongside the best players.” he told TNT Sports when asked if he would welcome the idea of heading away from the Santiago Bernabeu on loan.

“I’m 20 years old and it seems as though I’ve been playing for many years but I’m only at the beginning of my career.

“I’m learning a lot from the players that are here, those that play in my position. I want to stay at Real Madrid forever.”

Vinicius Jr, along with fellow Brazilian Rodrygo, had previously been viewed as the future of Real Madrid, but the Spanish champions, at the moment, continue to rely on the old guard to get them by, with the likes of Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, and Sergio Ramos remaining the key players within the squad.

Madrid face a battle to retain their title from last year, though, as they are currently three points adrift of Atletico Madrid in top spot, with Diego Simeone’s side also having a game in hand over their city rivals.