Sports Desk:

Vinicius Jr dazzled with a memorable brace, reaching the 100-goal milestone for Real Madrid in their 5-1 Champions League victory over RB Salzburg, emphasizing his growth and commitment to achieving greatness with the club he calls his dream.

Vinicius Jr was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for his stunning brace in Real Madrid’s commanding 5-1 victory over RB Salzburg in the UEFA Champions League. The Brazilian forward’s goals, his 100th and 101st for Los Blancos, marked a significant milestone in his career. Despite his standout performance, Vinicius humbly stated that he wouldn’t have chosen himself as the MVP, instead emphasizing his ongoing quest to improve and contribute to his “dream club.”

Having faced disappointment after being snubbed for the 2024 Ballon d’Or, which was awarded to Manchester City’s Rodri, Vinicius has consistently expressed his determination to outdo his performances from last season. His brilliance against Salzburg showcased his relentless drive, as he netted twice in a dominant display that also saw Rodrygo score twice and Kylian Mbappe add to the tally.

“I was a bit surprised to receive the trophy; I thought it would go to Rodrygo or Jude (Bellingham), as my first half wasn’t that great. However, with the team’s support, I improved in the second half, scored two goals, and reached 100 for Real Madrid, the biggest club in the world, where I have always wanted to be,” Vinicius said in an interview.

“My next step is to maintain a calm mindset to keep improving my game, continue evolving, and helping the greatest club in the world because I dreamed of reaching this point and playing alongside world-class players. This is my dream: to think big and achieve more titles with this shirt,” he added.

Vinicius’s achievement of surpassing 100 goals for Real Madrid added to his spotlight, with the forward reiterating his commitment to the club. Amid rumours about his potential future, the 23-year-old reaffirmed his desire to remain at Real Madrid, a team he considers “the best club in the world.”

Despite the resounding victory, Real Madrid’s position in the Champions League standings remains precarious. They currently sit 16th with 12 points in the new league phase of the competition, trailing Bayer Leverkusen, who are eighth with 13 points. The tight race to secure a spot in the Round of 16 leaves no room for complacency.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti will be counting on stars like Vinicius, Rodrygo, Mbappe, and Jude Bellingham to maintain their form and close the gap in the standings. With only a point separating them from the top eight, the next few matches promise intense competition as Real Madrid look to solidify their place in the knockout stage.

Vinicius’s stellar performance against Salzburg not only reaffirmed his importance to the team but also underlined his aspirations to continue growing as one of the world’s most formidable forwards.