Mueez Ajao
– Brazil and Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior said he feared he would get injured before the World Cup due to “dirty” tackles from opponents in LaLiga.
– The 22-year-old is the most-fouled player in LaLiga by a large margin, 10 more times than Getafe’s Enes Unal in second on the list, and believes his rivals went after him due to his status.
– “What happens of the field stays on the field, but it went too far,” Vinicius told Reuters on Thursday.
🎙️| Vinícius Jr.: “What happens on field stays on the field, but at times this season it has gone too far.” @Reuters #rmalive
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) November 18, 2022
Also Read: Atletico finally condemn racism by fans towards Vinicius Jr
– “You can come strong but they were being dirty with their challenges. Rodrygo and I suffered a lot in those last games and feared the worst, to get injured and miss the World Cup.
🎙️| Vinicius Jr: “Rodrygo and I suffered a lot in those last games & we were afraid of the worst, getting injured & missing the World Cup.” @Reuters #rmalive
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) November 18, 2022
– “When you start to become an important player, rivals come after you harder. You have to learn to deal with that.
– “I learned a lot from Neymar when he played for Barcelona, he suffered a lot too. Cristiano [Ronaldo], when he played for Real, suffered a lot too.
🎙️| Vinícius Jr.: “I learned a lot from Cristiano Ronaldo when he played at Real & Neymar at Barça, they also suffered a lot (bad challenges) from rival defenders.” @Reuters #rmalive
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) November 18, 2022
– “But it was Karim [Benzema] who told me to stay calm and have peace of mind because if the rivals are chasing you it is because you are relevant, because they are afraid of you.
– “So that’s why when I take the ball and burst forward I do with a vengeance. Yes, I can get hurt. But I’m prepared for the challenge.”
– That is a mentality Vinicius believes he shares with his Brazilian teammates heading to Qatar.
– “The rivals can expect a team that is strong and prepared to give it all to win it all,” he said.
– Vinicius scored Real Madrid’s winner in the Champions League final against Liverpool and finished eighth in the Ballon D’Or ballot last month, elevating him to world-class level in his fifth season with the Spanish giants.
– He said he was eager to ease the pressure on Neymar, 30, who has carried the hopes of a nation almost single-handedly throughout his international career as Brazil chase a first World Cup title since 2002.
– “Neymar went through so much as a young player, having to play at such young age and with a lot of pressure. So he is the one that makes sure today that everything is easier for the new generation,” Vinicius said.
– “It is a dream because we grew up idolising him. It is very important what he does as a leader. He knows that by helping us, we can help him a lot too, make a great World Cup.
– “And that’s good for us. It is good for the Brazilian people that want us to win.”
🎙️| Vinicius Jr: “It’s a dream because we all grew up idolizing Neymar & now he’s our leader who helps us a lot. We also want to help him & try to win the World Cup.” @Reuters #rmalive
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) November 18, 2022
