Winning the Ballon d'Or was never my dream - Vinicius Junior breaks silence on Ballon d’Or snub, referees, Saudi offers, etc

With Real Madrid gearing up for a high-stakes Champions League showdown against Atletico Madrid, Vinicius Junior stepped in front of the media to share his thoughts on everything from referees to his future at the club.

Tuesday’s clash at the Santiago Bernabeu marks the first European meeting between the two Madrid rivals since 2017, and the Brazilian winger is eager to help his team take control before a tough second leg.

“We Will Give Everything for the Fans”

Vinicius recently hit a milestone of 300 appearances for Real Madrid, a journey he describes as a dream come true.

“I keep experiencing incredible things with this shirt,” he said. “We’ve been playing better since the City game, and I hope the fans will be with us. We will give everything to make it a special night for them.”

Vinicius Calls Out Referees: La Liga vs. Europe

One of the biggest talking points was refereeing standards, something Vinicius has been vocal about in the past.

When asked if he sees a difference between officiating in La Liga and European competitions, he didn’t hold back.

“Referees in Europe protect players who entertain more. That is important for us. We don’t like to talk about referees, but of course, they must officiate fairly,” he stated.

Vinicius has often found himself targeted by aggressive challenges in Spain, and his frustration with inconsistent officiating has been well documented.

Saudi Offers? Vinicius Has One Answer

With several football stars making big-money moves to Saudi Arabia, Vinicius was asked if he would ever consider following the trend. His response left no room for speculation.

“I have a contract until 2027, and hopefully, we can extend it soon. I’m happy here, playing with the best players in the world, for the best manager, and under the best president. Everyone at the club values me—I couldn’t be in a better place.”

Even if a massive offer came his way, Vinicius made his intentions crystal clear:

“I’m here to make history, score more goals, play more games, and win more titles. My dream was always to play for Real Madrid, and now I have the chance to achieve even more.”

Why Vinicius Skipped the Ballon d’Or Ceremony

Vinicius also addressed the Ballon d’Or debate, explaining why he didn’t attend the ceremony and whether he felt snubbed.

“I didn’t feel betrayed. People vote for what they believe in. I never dreamed of winning the Ballon d’Or, but of course, when you get close, you want it.”

However, his decision to miss the event wasn’t personal.

“The club told me to stay in Madrid, so I did. What matters most to me is winning more titles with this club. I’ve already won two Champions Leagues, and I want more.”