Mueez Ajao
– Vinicius Junior hailed Carlo Ancelotti as the best manager in the world after Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Chelsea in their Champions League quarterfinal first leg, adding he hopes the Italian can coach him for both club and country.
– Striker Karim Benzema opened the scoring in the 21st minute at the Bernabeu on Wednesday with a close-range finish — Vinicius provided the assist — before substitute Marco Asensio doubled Madrid’s lead in the second half shortly after Ben Chilwell had been sent off.
– Ancelotti, who has been repeatedly linked with taking the vacant Brazil national team job this summer, has a Madrid contract until 2024.
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– He has come under pressure after falling 13 points behind Barcelona in the LaLiga title race, despite guiding Madrid to the Champions League quarterfinals and the Copa del Rey final.
– “Let’s hope it’s both!” Vinicius said, laughing, when asked by reporters if he would prefer Ancelotti as Madrid or Brazil coach.
– “For me, yes [he’s the best coach in the world]. I don’t know about everyone else, but for me and for the players here, he is.”
Vinicius on Carlo Ancelotti's future: "Being coached by Ancelotti at Brazil National team or Real Madrid? Both, hopefully", he said via @MarioCortegana. ⚪️🇧🇷
Brazil, still waiting for Ancelotti as priority to become the new head coach. pic.twitter.com/gR9UI1f7CC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 13, 2023
– Vinicius has contributed to a remarkable 20 goals in his last 20 Champions League appearances, with 10 goals and 10 assists, including the winner in last year’s final.
– “I see myself playing at my best, winning a lot of Champions Leagues like Karim [Benzema] has, like Luka [Modric] has,” Vinicius said, when asked if he views himself as a future Ballon d’Or winner.
– “They’re great players who’ve been here and written their names in the history of the best club in the world … I hope I can sign [with Madrid] forever.”
– Vinicius, 22, was previously criticised for his finishing when he joined Madrid in 2018, but the Brazil forward has seen a dramatic improvement over the last two seasons with 17 league goals in 2021-22 and nine so far this campaign.
– “I think it’s normal,” he said. “I left Brazil at 18 years old, and came to the best club in the world, it’s difficult. From 18 to 21 I was learning, I was doing things well, working hard, and now after two years and more than 200 games it’s normal that I’m playing better.”
