Vinicius Junior is owning up to his behavioral lapses. Frequently penalized for dissent, the Real Madrid winger—who has scored 9 goals in 20 La Liga matches this season—admits he doesn’t always control his emotions on the pitch.
The Brazilian is known for his fiery temperament and has drawn scrutiny from referees in both La Liga and European competitions. However, he hopes his reputation won’t work against him, acknowledging that he is still young and impulsive.
“When referees don’t punish my opponents and I protest just once, I get booked. But it’s normal—matches are intense, and I always want to win,” said Vinicius. “I still make mistakes, but I think I improve with every game. I’m calmer now. People forget that I’m only 24—I have a lot to learn and will continue learning throughout my career.”
On Tuesday (9 PM), in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against Atletico Madrid, Vinicius will need to keep his emotions in check against an opponent well aware of his fiery nature.
