Vini Jr., hat-trick and MVP in the final: "I'm very happy to have won the trophy, with the goals and the way we played"
The Brazilian scored three goals in 32 minutes and was the star player in Real Madrid's victory.
Vini Jr. was named MVP of the final of the Spanish Super Cup, which saw Real Madrid defeat Barcelona (4-1) in the Clásico at the Al-Awwal Park stadium in Riyadh. The Brazilian was the game's standout performer. He scored to make it 1-0 in the 7th minute, then he made it 2-0 in the 10th minute and sealed his hat-trick in the 39th minute by converting a penalty awarded after he was fouled by Araujo.
Speaking after the game, Vini Jr. expressed his delight at the win: "I'm very happy to have won the trophy today, and with the goals I scored and the way we played. I'd like to thank the physio at home, all the Real Madrid doctors and physiotherapists, my team-mates and the coach and his entire technical team. They have shown confidence in me and have given me the peace of mind I need to be at my best today. I'm not at my best yet because I've only played three games, but I'm very happy with today's performance and I want to continue like this".
"The celebration was for Cristiano, who is my idol and is playing here now. The people of Arabia have shown a lot of love for me and I'm very happy about that. I'm very excited about the match with the team and what we did today. It's not easy to play against Barcelona and to win 4-1 is very difficult. We put in an almost perfect performance, we just needed to not concede that goal from Lewandowski".
Favourites in every competition
"It's still only January and there's a lot of time to play and get better. We've only lost one game this season after so many injuries like Militão, Courtois, Alaba, I was out for a while too.... We have to carry on like this to do better because Real Madrid always come back. We want to be favourites to continue winning and to have the pressure that this club deserves".
Is there a need to strengthen the squad?
"Speak to the president about the signings. We're very happy with the players we have. Those who have played less this season are playing more minutes. It's important that everyone feels confident and when one player has an injury, another can fill in for him. This is what Madrid is about, we have 25 players ready to do the best for this club. We're working hard every day. We're going back to Madrid today and we're focused on the Copa del Rey. Everything is very fast and if we lose today it's not important. We have to be focused on what's remaining of the season".
Injuries
“I do my best to avoid injuries. I work hard at the club and at home, I eat healthily and I try to do my best. I want to follow in the footsteps of all the players at the club, who do the correct things to always be available, but sometimes it's not possible. I've never had injuries and I've had my first ones this season. I've been very down but I never give up at this club. Hopefully I won't have any more injuries this season.”
Controversy
“The things that happen on the pitch stay there. The coach helps me and teaches me and I'm learning every day, in every game. I also learn from home by looking at what I do in the games. I want to become a better person, but sometimes because I want to do the best for my team, I end up letting others down, myself and my teammates. I have to improve and continue in this direction.”
“It gets me down. Everything that happens to me ends up in the press because Vini has done this or that. I try my best to remain calm and focused on the game so that I can do my best for my teammates, but sometimes it's not just me. Of course, I'm not a saint, sometimes I talk too much and dribble when I shouldn't, but I'm here to improve and to set an example to the kids who are watching me. I want to improve and the coach and my teammates are showing me what I have to do every day.”