Vinicius: This is my worst year at Real Madrid; Mbappe is a really good person

In an interview with Cazé TV, Real Madrid star Vinicius admitted that this was the most difficult period since he joined the club, as the team was undergoing a generational change and lacked the experienced leaders of the past.

Regarding the public's prejudice against Mbappe, Vinicius emphasized that Mbappe is a very good person privately, has always supported him, and called him a legendary player who will leave his mark on football history.

What do you think of the Club World Cup? Did it affect your season? Did it affect Real Madrid's season? Because I see many people saying: "The schedule is a mess because of this." What do you think?

Vinicius: Players always complain about too many games. But I think the Club World Cup was the right decision because you have the opportunity for Real Madrid to play against Flamengo, against Botafogo, teams that you would almost never meet normally, and now they can finally play against each other. I think it's very interesting. But because this is the first time, everyone is not used to it being in the schedule yet, so it will indeed be a bit difficult. However, since it's every four years, I think people will slowly grow to like it more and more.

The last one was held in the United States, but maybe it will change locations in the future. The next one might be in Brazil, which would be great. Brazilian fans can watch big teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona up close, and also see them play against teams that no one would expect.

And you can also see things like Botafogo beating Paris Saint-Germain, and Fluminense reaching the semi-finals. So this competition is especially important for South American teams because they finally have such an opportunity. And we players always want to play.

Were you surprised by the results? For example, when you were in the locker room preparing for the game, and suddenly saw "Botafogo beat Paris Saint-Germain," did any of you talk about it? Did you react yourself?

Vinicius: I was actually watching that game. I don't usually watch games much, but when Botafogo was leading 1-0, I said: "I have to start watching, see what happens next." But it was really interesting. Brazilian fans are particularly engaged, and that atmosphere is really like a World Cup. I think it's great. But we still have to see how it develops in the future.

Another issue that greatly affects the game, and will also be encountered in future World Cups, is high temperatures, right? You complained, but I guess European players are the same.

Vinicius: It's really terrible.

How terrible?

Vinicius: Very, very terrible.

Is it the most exaggerated you've ever encountered?

Vinicius: Imagine playing against Paris Saint-Germain in 40-degree heat. And the result was still 4-0.

Understood. But weren't they just as hot?

Vinicius: But they are more adapted than us.

Although Real Madrid didn't win the Club World Cup, it was still okay. Then La Liga started, and it entered an intense title race with Barcelona. Later, Barcelona did falter, and Real Madrid briefly overtook them.

Vinicius: We actually had a lead of about 7 points at the beginning of the season. But the league is too long. And Barcelona knows very well how to play in such a league. Later, we made mistakes ourselves, some mistakes we shouldn't have made.

Losing at home, losing games that we should have at least drawn. That's how points are lost bit by bit. The gap gets wider and wider, the opponent becomes more and more confident, and you yourself lose more and more confidence.

But the situation is different every year. I hope next season we can do better than the past two years. Because this is the first time since I came to Real Madrid that I haven't won a title for two consecutive seasons. I used to win titles every season. But we have a good enough squad to rise again and win titles again. Real Madrid will always return to its peak.

I imagine that must be very difficult. Two years without a title, for a club of Real Madrid's caliber, how much does that affect the locker room? Especially this year has been particularly turbulent. Last year wasn't so exaggerated, but this year it feels like everything exploded. How does this pressure manifest in the locker room? And what is the attitude of the club management? Is this the worst year you've experienced at Real Madrid?

Vinicius: As a whole, I think so. My first year at Real Madrid was actually very difficult too, because it was a period of transition. Cristiano Ronaldo left then, and new players arrived. It's the same now. Ancelotti left, the coach changed, new players joined. We no longer have as many experienced players as we did in previous years.

Before, there was Nacho, there was Carvajal playing regularly, and he wasn't injured then. And Modric, Kroos, they are all people who can bring a huge impact and experience to the team.

Now it's me, Bellingham, Valverde, and these people. Of course, we also have a lot of big game experience, but I think in terms of locker room management, taking responsibility, we haven't had enough years to truly carry all of this. This kind of thing is learned slowly.

I believe we learned a lot this season. Next season we will be better, more united, and a more complete team. We will change all of this.

I think this cycle of transition is necessary. Sometimes experiencing failure is also good, because you learn things, you understand that things are not as easy as they seem.

Because since I came here, I've won almost every trophy. I'm used to winning.

Spoiled.

Vinicius: Yes, I'm spoiled. And Real Madrid itself is spoiled by this "always winning" culture. But we must live up to this jersey, because the pressure here is immense. You are on the best team in the world, and people are always waiting to see you make mistakes.

We've been making mistakes for two consecutive years, and now there's no room for more mistakes.

Brazilian fans' opinion of Mbappe largely stems from what happened between him and Neymar. So many football fans in Brazil have a bit of prejudice against him, saying things like: "This guy is annoying" or "He's not a good person." I remember when he first arrived, I immediately asked you: "Is Mbappe particularly arrogant?" But you said: "No, he's a good person." What's your relationship with him like? Is he really a good person? Or is he actually very crazy? What's he really like?

Vinicius: He's really a very good person. Brazilian fans have that impression of him, but actually, whenever we have the chance, we hang out off the field like friends. He also has a particularly good relationship with Camavinga, and Camavinga has always been one of my best friends at Real Madrid. So I've always had a good relationship with him. I used to message him often, asking him to come and play with us.

Although we haven't played as ideally as we hoped yet, and haven't won the championships that fans expect, I believe we will turn things around soon. He has always been good, and he always defends me in interviews. Especially after the incident about racism after the Benfica game, he was very supportive of me.

He is a great player. He has already won the World Cup final, and scored three goals in the World Cup final. He is a legendary player who will leave his mark on Real Madrid and in the entire history of football. He is already doing so now.

Speaking of what you experienced at the Estádio da Luz, that was really terrible. How did you feel at the time? And after that, Mbappe went to do a sideline interview, and you didn't.

Vinicius: He asked for it himself. He said: "No, you don't have to speak today, let us speak, let me speak." Then he went there and spoke up for me, just like I would do for him. I was particularly touched, because he is a player with global influence, and people will listen to him.

This can drive change. Now FIFA is working hard, UEFA is working hard, everyone is working hard, because this kind of thing cannot continue to happen repeatedly in football, especially in this era. If big-name players like Mbappe, and everyone else, stand up together, I believe this kind of thing will end quickly in the future.