Vinicius attacks these players: “They were dirty”

Vinicius Jr. is emblematic of the new generation of distinguished Brazilian talents and seems to have peaked at the perfect moment with his arrival in Qatar as favorites to win their sixth World Cup.

The 22-year-old scored Real Madrid’s goal in the Champions League final against Liverpool, and finished eighth in the Ballon d’Or race last month, taking him to the world level in his fifth season with the Spanish giants.

He said he was keen to take the pressure off Brazil striker Neymar, 30, who has carried the nation’s hopes almost single-handedly throughout his international career.

“Neymar went through a lot as a young player, having to play at such a young age and with a lot of pressure,” Vinicius told Reuters in Turin. So he is the one who guarantees today that everything is easier for the new generation.”

“It’s a dream because we both grew up loving it. It is very important what he does as a leader. He knows that with our help we can help him a lot too, and achieve a great World Cup. This is good for us. It’s good for the Brazilian people who want us to win.”

Well-spoken and mature throughout his years, Vinicius welcomes the pressure that comes with the responsibility of being the face of Brazil’s new generation.

Vinicius said: “I listen a lot. I like to learn from more experienced players like Karim (Benzema) and Neymar. Dealing with pressure has always been easy for me, being a superstar, like I said. I’ve always been conservative.”

“Playing for Real Madrid and Brazil helps. Because I learn from all these great players who have won so much in their careers.”

But behind his big smile and danceable celebrations that have become the winger’s hallmark, there is a sane, socially aware young man who wants to use his football and his fame for a greater good.

Vinicius started a charity that builds schools in poor areas and invests in research to develop new ways to improve Brazil’s education system.

“I think I need to do more,” Vinicius said. I see how well athletes like Lewis Hamilton and LeBron James do and I want to do the same, and help people in many ways.”

“Education is important because not everyone can become a player. Many try, but not everyone succeeds. So I do my best to help people in Brazil continue to improve and develop as a person.”

“If they focus with the right guidance, we can get more people going to university, more doctors, more professors… and better professors.”

Generation battle

Vinicius says one of the battles his generation faces is against the stereotype of Brazilian players as bad professionals.

Vinicius said: “This new generation has learned a lot from the old generation. It is sad to see how they are criticized, it is unfair because they have given so much to our sport. We need to celebrate their achievements but ask the question: What do we need to do right? What did they do wrong?”

“It is important for us not to make the same mistakes and to keep evolving and changing our image.”

Vinicius said he was worried about getting injured ahead of the World Cup.

He is the most fouled player in LaLiga by far, 10 times more than second-placed Ines Onal, and is believed to have been lurked by his opponents knowing he was on Brazil’s World Cup squad.

“What happens on the field stays on the field, but it got out of hand,” Vinicius said.

“You can be strong but they were dirty in their tackles. Rodrigo and I suffered a lot in those last matches and I feared the worst, I feared injury and missed the World Cup.

“When you start to become an important player, the competitors come after you more aggressively. You have to learn how to deal with that.”

“I learned a lot from Neymar when he played for Barcelona, ​​he suffered a lot too. Cristiano (Ronaldo), when he played for Real, also suffered a lot.

“But it was Karim (Benzema) who told me to stay calm and have peace of mind because if competitors are chasing you, it is because you are superior to them, because they are afraid of you.”

“That’s why when I take the ball and rush forward, I do revenge. Yes, I could get hurt. But I am ready for the challenge.”

This is a mentality that Vinicius believes he shares with his fellow Brazilians heading to Qatar. “Competitors can expect a strong team that is ready to give everything they can to win everything,” he said.

Source: Reuters