Vinicius Junior positive on Real Madrid contract extension amid Saudi Arabia rumours - 'I'm living a dream'
Updated 03/03/2025 at 19:21 GMT
Real Madrid face Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League last 16 this week, and Vinicius Junior has his sights set on a long and successful career with the European champions. The Brazil international, who has 17 goals in all competitions so far this season, said he "couldn't be anywhere better than here" when asked about rumours of interest from Saudi Arabia.
'I couldn't be anywhere better' - Vinicius hopes to extend Madrid contract
Video credit: SNTV
Vinicius Junior has revealed his desire to stay at Real Madrid for the foreseeable future amid rumours of interest from Saudi Arabia.
The Brazilian winger has been a star performer for Los Blancos, helping his side to three La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions Leagues, before controversially losing out to Manchester City's Rodri for the 2024 Ballon d'Or.
Speculation has emerged of a potentially lucrative switch to the Middle East, but Vinicius has dismissed the possibility in the build-up to Real Madrid's Champions League last-16 clash against city rivals Atletico Madrid - live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
"I'm very calm, because I have a contract until 2027 and I hope we will renew it as soon as possible because I'm happy here," he said in a pre-match press conference.
"I'm living a dream: I'm playing with the best players in the world, the best coach, the best president, the best fans. Everyone loves me so much. I couldn't be anywhere better than here."
All eyes are on the Champions League now as Real Madrid aim to defend their title and win the competition for a 16th time.
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They will first have to overcome Atletico in what promises to be a heated battle in the Spanish capital.
"A derby is the kind of game that we like," Vinicius said. "We wait the whole season for a game like this one, especially a Champions League derby.
"I've never played it, this is my first and I'm super excited to play a game like this. It's going to be a beautiful party for our fans tomorrow and for their fans in the second leg."
Asked about his tendency to get riled up in big games, Vinicius added: "It's normal. I get heated during the games because I just want to win the games. I do many things that I shouldn't do, but I think I'm doing better every game.
"I'm trying to stay calmer, my team-mates help me with their calm and I'm getting better, eventually. I've been here for quite a long time already but people forget that I'm just 24 years old and I still have a lot to learn. I'm learning."
Vinicius is likely to face stiff competition for the Ballon d'Or in 2025, with Mohamed Salah in sensational form for Liverpool.
The Real Madrid star has insisted it was not his decision to boycott the 2024 ceremony after it became clear Rodri would win the award.
"Always the club," he said. "I do as I'm told by the club. The club asked me to stay in Madrid, so I stayed very calm.
"We'll see about the next ones."
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When is Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid?
Real Madrid host Atletico Madrid at the Bernabeu on Tuesday, March 4.
Kick-off is at 20:00 UK time on TNT Sports 1.
TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.
You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
To find out where your local establishments showing TNT Sports are, use our Pub Finder tool.
How do I watch Champions League live streams on TNT Sports? What is discovery+?
The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports and entertainment in one destination.
You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
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