“He’s always given me confidence, and scolded me when I’ve needed it” – Vinicius Junior on Carlo Ancelotti

By John Menzies - 29 May 2024, 19:54

One of the big beneficiaries of Carlo Ancelotti’s second spell in charge of Real Madrid has been Vinicius Junior. The 23-year-old, who joined Los Blancos in 2018 from Flamengo, has gone from strength to strength over the last three years, to the point where he is now the favourite to take home the 2024 Ballon d’Or.

Speaking with UEFA (via Marca) ahead of this weekend’s Champions League final, Vinicius spoke incredibly highly of Don Carlo, and the impact he has made on his game since 2021.

“He’s done everything for me. He’s always given me confidence, and scolded me when I’ve needed it. We’ve developed a really good relationship. He cares about me as much as I care about him.

“He’s changed me as a player – not just on the pitch, but also in the way I think about coaching and development. He says that humility is my greatest virtue, because I always listen to others. When I score a goal in a game, I always want my teammates to score as well, so I’m in a better position. I’m not moved by vanity, to play with the best players, the big stars. Every day he teaches me more on and off the field.”

Vinicius will be eyeing up his second Champions League title with Real Madrid on Saturday, which would cap off an outstanding for him and his teammates. Ancelotti deserves enormous credit for navigating the campaign irrespective of the result at Wembley Stadium, and his players – especially the big hitters – know it.

Posted by John Menzies

29 May 2024, 19:54