Vinicius Jr responds when asked if he is ready to be Brazil's leading man in Neymar's absence
Brazil and Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior has claimed that he is prepared to step in as his national team's leading man in Neymar's absence at the 2024 Copa America.
Vinicius, 23, has emerged as one of the 2024 Ballon d'Or award favorites owing to his sensational form for Real Madrid this season. He has helped his club lift the La Liga title and the Supercopa de Espana so far.
A Flamengo academy graduate, Vinicius has found the back of the opposition net 23 times, including 15 in the league, for Los Blancos this season. He has also laid out 11 assists in 38 overall outings for his club.
During an interview with TNT Sports, the forward was asked if he can replicate his Real Madrid form on the international stage at the upcoming Copa America. He replied (h/t X/@MadridXtra):
"Of course. I worked a lot since I arrived at Real Madrid so that when this moment arrives, I'll be ready."
Since making his debut in 2019, Vinicius has scored three goals and provided four assists in 28 appearances for the Brazil national team.
Brazil forward Vinicius Jr opens up on how he learnt from best players at Real Madrid
During a chat with UEFA, Vinicius Junior was asked to shed light on his consistent desire to improve on and off the pitch. He responded:
"I've always had it, but after I arrived here with great players, with Real Madrid legends who never stop improving in every training session and always want to win, that started to rub off on me."
Claiming that he is always receptive to advice, the Brazil star added:
"Today, I do everything possible to improve. I learn a lot from all the more experienced players in the squad because they've been through much more than I have. I always tell them that I prefer to listen to them than to speak because it will be better for my development."
Naming three Real Madrid players who helped him, the attacker said:
"It's not just important on the pitch, it's also important off it. In the very near future, I can do what all these players, like Luka [Modric], Toni [Kroos], Karim [Benzema], when he was here, have done for me. They passed on their calmness, their experience, to me and I can pass it on to the younger players who are coming into the squad."
Vinicius will next be in action in Los Blancos' UEFA Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on Saturday (June 1).
Later on, he will represent Brazil in their two friendlies against Mexico on June 8 and the United States on June 12. He will play in his national team's Copa America opener against Costa Rica on June 24.