Vinicius Júnior gives an emotional press conference as he bids farewell to the club
Young star joins Real Madrid in July and hopes to conquer the world
By Flamengo Communication - inIt was brief, but it was intense. Rarely in Flamengo's history has a player made such a huge impact on the nation in such a short time. Vinicius Júnior turned professional at 17, won over the fans in just a few matches, became an idol, demonstrated talent, skill, boldness, and joy on the field, filled stadiums, and sparked a rush of journalists to his word. He wore the number 20 jersey, scored goals, but didn't win any titles with the senior team. At the youth level, however, he was the "Ai, Jesus" of clashes against rivals. With the youth team, he shone and captured the world's attention. All this in just over a year.
Vinícius de Oliveira Júnior arrived at Flamengo at the age of 10. At Flamengo's youth academy, he won the Under-13 Carioca Championship (2013), the Under-14 Guri Cup (2014), the Under-15 Brazil Cup (2015) and the Under-17 Carioca Championship (2016). The 17-year-old was sold to the Spanish club in May 2017, in the largest transaction in the club's history, for a final sum of 45 million euros. The teams' agreement allowed the striker to stay at the club until July 2018, when his future would be decided. The decision has been made, and he will head to the Spanish capital early next month to be part of the winning squad in the last edition of the Champions League.
Promoted to the professional team in 2017, he made his debut against Atlético Mineiro, at Maracanã, on 13/05/2017, in a 1-1 draw. His first goal came 15 games later, against Chilean Palestino, at Iha do Urubu, in a match valid for the Copa Conmebol Sudamericana, in a 5-0 victory. In total, he scored 14 goals as a professional, in 70 games.
Vinicius Junior officially announced his departure from Flamengo on Monday in a press conference held in the Victorino Chermont press room at Ninho do Urubu. Accompanied by Flamengo president Eduardo Bandeira de Mello and Executive Director of Football Carlos Noval, Vinicius spoke to the press about his time at the club, repeatedly thanked the club's staff from the youth academy onwards, and outlined his expectations for his move to Real Madrid.
"I was able to fulfill my dreams at Flamengo. I was so happy with the fans chanting my name. I would run away from home with my father to see Flamengo play. Leaving the biggest club in the world is inexplicable. I leave honored, happy, and very grateful to every coach who helped me at Flamengo. And I'm sure everyone will continue to support me," said the now former Flamengo number 20 in his farewell press conference, which was dominated by the theme of gratitude. Vincius named names and made a point of showing that his time at Flamengo had the participation of many important people.
"I thank the president, Noval, Rodrigo Caetano, all the youth coaches, and the people who helped shape me into the person I am today. I leave Flamengo happy and honored. Everything I learned was here, on and off the field. Every day I spent here, I made new friends and great friendships that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I've been a Flamengo fan since I was a child, and it's always been my dream to wear this jersey. Today I'm saying goodbye to this club that did everything for me. I'm leaving to pursue my dream and fulfill all the dreams I have in life."
President Eduardo Bandeira de Mello began the press conference by thanking the player and expressed confidence that Vinicius will one day return to Flamengo, already established and a champion abroad. Bandeira again cited the differences between the South American and European markets to explain the player's sale to Real Madrid.
"Unfortunately, we are announcing Vinicius's departure today. Despite everything, we must celebrate his time at the club as well. Brazil is a peripheral country, and we are prone to losing key players. We will be rooting for him to succeed at Real Madrid and also with the Brazilian national team. One day, we hope he returns to honor the Sacred Mantle. I will no longer be president, but I will be at the airport to welcome him back," said the Flamengo president.
A keen connoisseur of Vinicius Júnior, Football Director Carlos Noval also spoke about the young star's departure. Noval has been with Vinicius since the beginning of his time at Gávea's youth academy and was instrumental in the development of the player who is now leaving the club.
"Talking about Vinicius is difficult. We got him when he was 10 years old. He's an athlete who arrived at the club and was nurtured here, and we have a lot of affection for him. From the age of 10, we saw his enormous potential. And that's why he worked hard to become this wonderful player. We can only thank him for these moments. It's incredibly rewarding to work for a 10-year-old boy to become what he has become. He's always been humble in his dealings with people, and we're happy to see how it all turned out. I can only thank him, his family, and his representatives for the success story that is Vinicius Júnior."
Check out more highlights from the young star's press conference below.
Dream of going to Real Madrid
"Without a doubt, it's the biggest dream of my life. I'm looking forward to meeting the new players. I'm going to play for Real Madrid. I'm prepared for what I'll find there. I don't know if I'll arrive and play; it'll be difficult to adapt, and I'll do everything I can to do it as quickly as possible."
Contact with professionals
"I have to thank the players here at Flamengo very much. They welcomed me very warmly into the professional ranks. I also thank Julio Cesar, who helped me a lot. I will mature to bring much joy to the Brazilian fans."
Base advice
"The guys at the academy always talked to me, I always listened to the people older than me to make it in football. I'll take this experience that the older guys gave me. They always told me to stay focused on football and that I'll be one of the best in the world."
Back in the future?
"The good thing is that I'm going young and in 10 years I can come back (laughs). No, I'm not thinking about that yet. I'm thinking about arriving at Real and starting to play. And after that, winning everything and making it to the national team. After I've won everything, then I'll think about returning to Flamengo to win the Libertadores and the World Cup."
Adaptation
"The club wants me there to adapt as quickly as possible, to feel the atmosphere, the players, who are completely different. If I stayed here, it could delay my growth with Real Madrid."
Club World Cup Final
"They've already asked me not to play against Flamengo."
Real Madrid
"I follow Real Madrid. My biggest challenge has always been tactically. There's a big difference between the professional and youth teams. And so I'm moving up a level and becoming a better player. As for continuing to dribble, I'll always go after the opponent. Marcelo (Real Madrid full-back) tells me to go there soon and keep playing this joyful game, to conquer the world like Neymar and Ronaldinho, who I look up to a lot."
Meetings and Events
"I've experienced the happiest moments here. And the saddest too. I'll take my luggage full of experience, gratitude, and joy from here. From everyone who helped me. From the fans, who made me so emotional. This gratitude is indescribable. It's the club I love most. After my family, Flamengo is my greatest passion."