The campaign for Vinicius Junior to win his first Ballon d’Or is well underway, but the Real Madrid striker has his priorities well defined.
Before worrying about individual praise, the Brazilian striker aims to achieve his second Champions League triumph on Saturday, when Los Blancos face Borussia Dortmund, at Wembley.
Vinicius was the man who led Real Madrid to their record 14th European Cup in 2022, entering the box on the left and attacking from close range in the 1-0 victory over Liverpool.
It was a simple finish, but one he had failed to achieve before, several times, in what proved to be a complicated start to his life in Madrid.
Thrown into the void left by the late greatest goalscorer of all time, Cristiano Ronaldo, in 2018, Vinicius began as a laughing stock, given his debauchery.
After coach Carlo Ancelotti returned for a second spell in charge in 2021, the Brazilian proved to be the main beneficiary.
After scoring 14 goals in three seasons before the Italian’s arrival, Vinicius scored 22 under Ancelotti’s guidance.
The 22nd was in Paris against Jurgen Klopp’s Reds, fair reward for Vinicius’ transformation.
It was no coincidence, with the striker scoring 23 goals the following year and scoring 23 again before the final against Bundesliga side Dortmund.
Vinicius also took advantage of Ancelotti’s change of system this season to accommodate the arrival of Jude Bellingham and address defensive deficiencies.
Ancelotti used Vinicius mainly as a central striker, a role to which the winger took time to adapt.
“Now I can play in more positions and that’s how I’ve improved my game than when I arrived here,” Vinicius told reporters before the final.
“I continue to evolve and I want to continue evolving until the last day of my career, like Toni Kroos is doing.”
German midfielder Kroos’ metronome has been one of several good influences in keeping the 23-year-old calm amid the focus and pressure.
Ancelotti’s guidance is crucial and one of his greatest achievements was transforming Vinicius from a rough diamond into an elite star.
“I feel comfortable with everything the coach tells me, because he changed me as a player,” continued Vinicius.
“He gave me the confidence I need and where he tells me to go, I have to be.
“At first I wasn’t convinced about playing inside, now I’m very happy to play there – he always told me I would score goals and I didn’t believe him. “
– Time to improve –
After three goals in his first 11 games of the season and newcomers Bellingham rising to prominence, Vinicius was not in a bad mood.
A muscle tear in his thigh in November seemed like another setback, keeping him out of action until January.
However, those weeks away were time well spent as Vinicius worked to better understand his role and came back with a bang.
“I had time to work on what I normally don’t work on, to think about my game and everything I could do to improve it… and reach the most important phase of the season at a better level”, he explained. .
Vinicius has scored 17 goals in his last 23 games, including a brace against Bayern Munich in the semi-final when he beat Joshua Kimmich.
No longer able to laugh at Vinicius, some opposition fans began to hate him. Over the past two seasons, we have seen a series of horrific instances of racial abuse directed at him while playing away from home in Spain.
“(Racism) is something I can’t control, but I always try to remain calm,” said Vinicius.
Fortunately, in recent weeks the abuse has disappeared and Vinicius has been able to focus on football.
Asked if he could achieve a 1-0 victory over Dortmund like two years ago against Liverpool, with him scoring the winning goal, Vinicius replied “definitely”.
“With a goal from anyone”, he continued, aiming for the Champions League above any individual consideration.
“I never thought (of winning the Ballon d’Or),” said Vinicius.
“The best thing that can happen this season is to win the Champions League.”
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