Vini Jr blown sends clear Real Madrid message as world-record bid drops

Vinicius Junior continues to be linked with a spectacular move to the Saudi Pro League, yet he appreciates Real Madrid have offered him something he will be unable to find at another club.

On Wednesday, Vini captained Los Blancos for the first time in a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad and admitted the experience was a dream come true.

Carlo Ancelotti’s decision to hand the Brazil international the armband came at a time when the 24-year-old is being linked with a mega-bucks move to the Saudi Pro League, with rumours suggesting that the attacker could be subject to a world-record bid from the up-and-coming division.

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’Very special to play for Real Madrid’

While Los Blancos cannot compete with the financial rewards being thrown at him from Saudi, they can offer him the type of status that he cannot get elsewhere – and that is something that he appears to be aware of.

“It’s very special to play here for so long and, at 24, to have my first match as captain. It means a lot to me and my family after everything we’ve been through to get here,” he told Real Madrid TV.

“It’s something different because you never think it will happen to you. I’m happy to wear the captain’s armband for the best club in the world in a Copa del Rey semifinal. I’m living the moment, something I hadn’t even dreamed of.

“In the next match, I’ll reach 300 appearances, but I already want 400, 500, and to keep making history at this club.”

Out of contract in 2027, Vini Jr will have to make a decision about his future relatively soon, particularly with Real Madrid pushing him to extend. They have already proven, though, that what they can’t offer in hard cash, they are willing to make up for in prestige.