I never thought of winning Ballon d’Or – Vinicius

Vinicius Junior ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League round 16 against Atletico Madrid said he never dreamed of winning the Ballon d’Or .

Vinicius Junior stated this while reacting to media ahead of Real Madrid’s highly anticipated Champions League clash against Atletico.

This will be the first European derby between the two sides since 2017.

The Brazilian forward shared his thoughts on refereeing standards and the frustration he sometimes experiences when he feels unfairly treated on the pitch.

With the first leg set for Tuesday at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid are aiming to take an early advantage before what promises to be a tough return fixture. Speaking before manager Carlo Ancelotti, Vinicius acknowledged the challenge ahead but expressed confidence in the team’s ability to deliver a strong performance.

Reflecting on his milestone of 300 appearances for the club, he said: “I keep experiencing incredible things with this shirt, fulfilling my dreams. Hopefully, we can keep the chemistry we have this season. We have been playing better since the City game. It is going to be a great match, and I hope the fans will be with us. We will give everything to make it a special night for them.”

When asked to compare refereeing in European competitions with La Liga, Vinicius was clear: “I do think referees in Europe protect players who entertain more. That is important for us. We do not like to talk about referees, but of course, they must officiate fairly.”

The forward was also questioned about potential offers from Saudi Arabia but remained focused on his future with Real Madrid. “I am very calm because I have a contract until 2027, and hopefully, we can extend it soon. I am happy here, living my dream of playing with the best players in the world, for the best manager and under the best president. Everyone at the club loves and values me—I could not be in a better place.”

Asked whether he would stay at Madrid regardless of any lucrative offers, his answer was clear: “Yes, I am here to continue making history, to build on everything this club has given me and what the president has done for me. I want to score more goals, play more games and keep winning. My dream was always to make it here, and now I have the chance to achieve even more.”

On the ongoing Ballon d’Or debate, Vinicius insisted he felt no resentment over the outcome and revealed why he skipped the ceremony: “I did not feel betrayed. People vote for what they believe in, and I have my own thoughts, just like my teammates do. They support me a lot. I never dreamed of winning the Ballon d’Or, but of course, when you get close, you want it.

“I will have other chances to win trophies and awards, but what matters most is winning more titles with this club. I have already won two Champions Leagues, and I want more. As for missing the gala, I simply followed the club’s instructions. They told me to stay in Madrid, so I did,” he concluded.