Real Madrid’s star forward, Vinicius Junior, is setting his sights firmly on team achievements this season as he prioritizes another Champions League victory over individual accolades like the Ballon d’Or. Despite a mounting campaign advocating for him to win his first Ballon d’Or, Vinicius remains focused on helping Los Blancos clinch a second consecutive Champions League title. The Brazilian talent, who has been instrumental to Real Madrid’s success recently, continues to evolve under the tutelage of coach Carlo Ancelotti, especially as they gear up for their showdown against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on Saturday.
The Brazilian forward etched his name into Real Madrid’s illustrious history by scoring the decisive goal in their 2022 Champions League final against Liverpool, a strike that secured the club its record 14th European Cup. Since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure in 2018, Vinicius has grown immensely. Initially mocked for his inefficiency in front of the goal, his progress has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Vinicius attributes much of his development to Ancelotti, who returned for his second spell as Real Madrid’s head coach in 2021. Ancelotti’s arrival marked a turning point in Vinicius’s career. Before Ancelotti’s comeback, Vinicius had scored only 14 goals across three seasons. Under the Italian’s guidance, he netted 22 goals in his first season back, followed by a further 23 goals in the subsequent season. This year, he has already tallied 23 goals ahead of their upcoming final against Borussia Dortmund.
A significant part of Vinicius’s transformation has been his shift in positioning on the pitch. Ancelotti has often deployed him as a central striker rather than his traditional role on the wing. This tactical adjustment took time for Vinicius to adapt to, but it has ultimately broadened his skill set. “Now I can play in more positions and that’s how I’ve made my game a lot better than when I arrived here,” Vinicius stated in a pre-final press conference.
When asked if he would settle for a repeat of the 1-0 victory over Liverpool, with him scoring the winner, Vinicius emphatically responded, “for sure.” He added that a goal from any player would suffice if it helped them secure the Champions League title, reiterating his team-first mentality.
. “I’ve never thought about [winning the Ballon d’Or]. The best thing that can happen this season is winning the Champions League,” he declared.
On the other side, Borussia Dortmund are bracing themselves for this formidable challenge. Few players embody the competitive spirit of coach Edin Terzic’s Dortmund as much as center-back Nico Schlotterbeck. In a candid session with reporters, Schlotterbeck expressed his eagerness to face Real Madrid, acknowledging their reputation as the biggest club in the world but also emphasizing that Dortmund should not be overawed. “I’ve always wanted to play against Real, for me they’re the biggest club in the world. But we shouldn’t be afraid, we shouldn’t be in awe. It has to be a completely normal game for us,” he asserted.
Dortmund’s strategy under Terzic combines hard work with flashes of creative brilliance, a dynamic approach that Schlotterbeck believes can stand up to the Spanish giants. His confidence and readiness to embrace the underdog role is reflective of the team’s broader mindset as they approach the final.
This exciting clash between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund promises to be a memorable encounter. For Vinicius Junior, continuing his upward trajectory and helping his team to further glory remains paramount, far surpassing any personal ambition for the Ballon d’Or. His focus, adaptability, and commitment to team success under Carlo Ancelotti’s mentoring highlight the qualities that make him a vital asset for Real Madrid.
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