Vinicius Junior hailed Carlo Ancelotti as the best coach in the world after Real Madrid beat Chelsea 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, adding that he hopes Ancelotti can coach him for club and country.
Against Chelsea, Karim Benzema opened the scoring in the 21st minute before substitute Marco Asensio doubled Madrid’s lead in the second half shortly after Ben Chilwell had been sent off.
Carlo Ancelotti, who has been repeatedly linked with a vacant role in the Brazil national team this summer, has a Madrid contract until 2024.
Carlo Ancelotti has been under pressure after trailing 13 points behind Barcelona in the LaLiga title race, despite taking Madrid to the Champions League quarter-finals and Copa del Rey final.
“Let’s hope it’s both!” Vinicius said while laughing when asked by journalists whether he preferred Ancelotti as coach of Madrid or Brazil, as quoted by ESPM.
“For me, yes [he is the best coach in the world]. I don’t know about other people, but for me and the players here, he is,” he continued.
Vinicius Junior has contributed to an incredible 20 goals in his last 20 Champions League appearances, with 10 goals and 10 assists, including victory in last year’s final.
“I see myself playing as well as I can, winning as many Champions Leagues as Karim [Benzema] has, like Luka [Modric] has,” said Vinicius, when asked if he saw himself as a future Ballon d’Or winner.
“They are great players who have been here and wrote their names in the history of the best club in the world… I hope I can join [Madrid] forever,” he continued.
Previously Vinicius was criticized for his finishing when he joined Madrid in 2018, but the Brazil forward has seen dramatic improvement over the last two seasons with 17 league goals in 2021-22 and nine so far this season.
“I think it’s normal,” he added. “I left Brazil at 18, and coming to the best club in the world, it was difficult. From 18 to 21 I studied, I did things well, worked hard, and now after two years and more than 200 games it is normal that I play better,” concluded Vinicius.
