Vinicius: "Now I’m a completely different player"

Real Madrid's Brazilian forward gave an interview with UEFA ahead of the Champions League clash against Chelsea: "Zidane gives me a lot of confidence."

Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Vinicius Júnior gave an interview with UEFA ahead of his side’s Champions League semi-final clash against Chelsea and said he hopes to score and help Zinedine Zidane’s side into the final so that he can write his name in the history books of the Liga giants. Vinicius also said how privileged he feels to be at the club after arriving from Flamengo in 2018.

“It’s the best team in the world and I’m really happy to be here. Everybody loves me here and they do everything possible to help me. Scoring those two goals in such an important game [in the quarter-finals against Liverpool] and helping the team into the semi-final of the biggest competition in the world was an amazing feeling.”

Vincius on Zidane: “I learn from him every day”

Vinicius also lauded his coach Zidane and said he had helped to improve his game since his arrival in Madrid: “I learn from him every day, in every training session. He was a great player and is a great coach. He does everything he can for us to feel good, not only on the pitch but also at home; he asks a lot about our family. He also gives me a lot of confidence, and I learn all kinds of things on the pitch. In terms of tactics, he was one of the coaches that pushed me most to do things, and I now do them very naturally and calmly.

“He helps a lot with my attacking game every day. Not just me, but all the players and especially Karim [Benzema], with whom I play a lot. I’ve played a lot with Karim since my arrival. He and I make a good team. Now I’m a completely different player, but with the same qualities as before.”