Vinicius Jr scored the only goal of an otherwise controversial fixture as Real Madrid beat Benfica 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League knockout play-off. The Brazilian forward's second-half strike was followed by a lengthy delay for an alleged racist remark from a Benfica player to Vinicius. Play continued, and Madrid held on for a crucial lead in the tie.
Real Madrid talisman Vinicius Junior has opened up about his close personal ties with Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai, claiming that the Hungary international is begging for the chance to play in his new Nike boots. The Brazilian attacker says the Hungary international is one of many close friends in football, with Chelsea's Reece James among them.
Vinicius Junior has revealed how he helped Real Madrid to sign Kylian Mbappe, with the Brazilian claiming to have acted as the French forward’s “agent”. World Cup winner Mbappe finally became a ‘Galactico’ at the Bernabeu in 2024, following several years of speculation regarding a move to Spain, and has become a prolific presence for Los Blancos.
The president of Flamengo has revealed his club's stance on re-signing Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior as speculation continues to surround the future of the Brazil international. The forward's contract at the Santiago Bernabeu expires next year and he looked unlikely to pen an extension during Xabi Alonso's brief spell in charge of Los Blancos. Now, Luiz Eduardo Baptista has admitted his side can't commit to a deal with Vinicius any time soon.
Flamengo’s sporting director has jokingly suggesting that Vinicius Junior is next on his transfer wishlist following the sensational return of Lucas Paqueta. During the playmaker’s official unveiling in Rio de Janeiro, the club chief could not resist a cheeky dig at Real Madrid regarding a future free transfer for their global superstar, hinting that the "project" to reunite the academy graduates is already on his mind.
Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa has confessed that the club’s ongoing contract standoff with Vinicius Junior is completely out of his hands, despite expressing his desperate hope that the Brazilian superstar remains at the Bernabeu. The future of the Ballon d'Or contender remains uncertain, with the forward’s representatives currently in the capital, yet fresh speculation over a lucrative exit refuses to disappear.
A retirement plan for Cristiano Ronaldo has been teased as Saudi Pro League officials reportedly line up 50 big-name players to join CR7 in the Middle East before the day comes for him to hang up his boots. More high-profile additions, such as Mohamed Salah and Bruno Fernandes, will help the division to retain interest heading towards the 2034 World Cup.
Vinicius Junior’s future at Real Madrid remains up in the air as the Saudi Pro League reportedly remain in discussions with the Brazil star's camp over a big-money move to the Middle East this summer. The winger has endured a difficult season with the Spanish giants, having been routinely whistled by the Los Blancos faithful following a recent goal drought which stretched back to October.
Vinicius Junior has issued an emotional plea to Real Madrid fans after starring in a Champions League 6-1 rout of Monaco, admitting that recent jeers at the Santiago Bernabeu have left him hurting. The Brazilian winger, who insisted "I am human too," also addressed speculation surrounding his future and the recent managerial upheaval, insisting he remains calm about a renewal despite having just over a year left on his contract.
Vinicius Jr was back to his brilliant best and Kylian Mbappe bagged a brace as Real Madrid battered Monaco, 6-1, on Tuesday. Vinicius provided three assists, scored a wonderful goal and was a constant menace. Mbappe opened the scoring with two goals of hisown, while an unfortunate own goal from Thilo Kehrer and a smooth strike from Jude Bellingham rounded off a memorable night in Alvaro Arbeloa's first Champions League game in charge.
Kylian Mbappe has sought to defend Real Madrid team-mates Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham from the brutal boos that have come their way. Restless natives at the Bernabeu took to jeering their own players during a La Liga clash with Levante, with certain individuals considered to have contributed to club legend Xabi Alonso losing his job as manager.
While goals were hard to come by in the Premier League over the weekend, there were still plenty of intriguing narratives that emerged in England's top-flight, while elsewhere around Europe there was plenty of entertainment to be had ahead of the return of the Champions League this midweek.
Neymar remains “the most talented player in Brazil”, Kleberson has told GOAL, with Carlo Ancelotti being told that he must find space for the Santos superstar in his 2026 World Cup plans. The man who helped the Selecao to global glory in 2002 has also picked out the natural heir to Neymar’s playmaking crown and explained what a modern day great needs to do in order to join the GOATs.
Vinicius Junior making a move to Chelsea remains a ”fairytale shout”, says former Blues midfielder Jody Morris, with the Real Madrid superstar considered to be “too old” for owners at Stamford Bridge that prefer to focus on youth and potential. A ‘Galactico’ at Santiago Bernabeu is, however, generating talk of a Premier League transfer being made in 2026.
Real Madrid turned an unconvincing first half into a clinical second, with Kylian Mbappe leading the charge as they saw off Levante, 2-0. Los Blancos were initially languid under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa, but clicked into gear once the deadlock was broken, and were ultimately good value for the victory - even if some questions about individuals remain.
Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham were booed by a section of Real Madrid fans before and during their clash with Levante. Following Xabi Alonso's sacking and Los Blancos' Copa del Rey humiliation at the hands of second-tier side Albacete, the Santiago Bernabeu faithful turned their ire towards the attacking duo and club president Florentino Perez.
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