Sport
Vinicius Jr Says He Is Playing His Best Football Right Now Despite Injury
Vinicius Jr believes he is in top form right now despite facing injuries earlier in the season.
The Brazilian has been having a strong campaign with Real Madrid, scoring 17 goals and providing 12 assists in 35 matches across all competitions. In La Liga alone, he has netted nine times and assisted seven in 20 games.
Speaking ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Atlético Madrid, he acknowledged the challenges of maintaining peak performance throughout a long season.
“I’m at my best right now,” he said. “With so many games, you can’t always be at 100%. Playing 80 matches a season, sometimes you’re not fully fit, and many players play through injuries.”
He added that the pressure to perform is always high, but he embraces it. “People expect a lot from me, but now is the most important part of the season, and at Madrid, we always step up when it matters.”
Real Madrid secured a narrow 2-1 win over Atlético Madrid in the Champions League first-leg clash at the Santiago Bernabéu. However, they suffered a 2-1 loss to Real Betis in La Liga over the weekend.
Saudi club Al-Hilal has given Victor Osimhen a deadline this Friday to decide on their transfer offer. The Blue Waves are ready to activate the €75 million release clause in Osimhen’s contract, while also offering the Nigerian striker a lucrative deal worth €30 million per season.
Transfer expert Ben Jacobs reports that Al-Hilal remains hopeful Osimhen will say yes. This isn’t their first try to sign him—Al-Hilal first showed interest back in January 2023. Last summer, Osimhen agreed to join another Saudi team, Al-Ahli, but Napoli pushed for a higher fee, delaying the move.
France head coach Didier Deschamps has thrown his full support behind Ousmane Dembélé as a top contender for this year’s Ballon d’Or. Speaking ahead of their UEFA Nations League semi-final clash with Spain—a team featuring another strong candidate, Lamine Yamal—Deschamps praised Dembélé’s incredible season.
Just days ago, Dembélé helped Paris Saint-Germain lift the Champions League trophy and was crowned Player of the Season. The win capped off a historic campaign for PSG, who also clinched the Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France to complete a remarkable Treble.
Deschamps said, “The Nations League and even the Club World Cup could still shape opinions, but if I had to pick right now, it’s Ousmane—no doubt. Ask the Spanish, they’ll likely back their own, but for me, with the season he’s had, Ousmane deserves it.”
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has backed midfielder Vitinha to win the Ballon d’Or after a standout season with Paris Saint-Germain. Vitinha played a key role in PSG’s incredible treble-winning campaign, helping them secure the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France, and a dominant 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final.
Speaking after Portugal’s 2-1 win over Germany in the UEFA Nations League, Martinez praised the midfielder’s impact. “Vitinha has been vital to PSG’s success this season,” he said. “He’s been at the heart of everything they’ve achieved. He deserves the Ballon d’Or.” Despite Martinez’s strong support for Vitinha, many see his PSG teammate Ousmane Dembele as the current frontrunner for the award.
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