‘Happy’ Vinicius Wants to Renew Real Contract as Soon as Possible 

Football - Champions League - Real Madrid Press Conference - Ciudad Real Madrid, Valdebebas, Madrid, Spain - March 3, 2025 Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior during the press conference. (Reuters)
Football - Champions League - Real Madrid Press Conference - Ciudad Real Madrid, Valdebebas, Madrid, Spain - March 3, 2025 Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior during the press conference. (Reuters)
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‘Happy’ Vinicius Wants to Renew Real Contract as Soon as Possible 

Football - Champions League - Real Madrid Press Conference - Ciudad Real Madrid, Valdebebas, Madrid, Spain - March 3, 2025 Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior during the press conference. (Reuters)
Football - Champions League - Real Madrid Press Conference - Ciudad Real Madrid, Valdebebas, Madrid, Spain - March 3, 2025 Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior during the press conference. (Reuters)

Brazil forward Vinicius Jr said he is happy at Real Madrid and wants to renew his contract with the LaLiga club as soon as possible, playing down reports of interest from other clubs.

Vinicius, who joined Real in 2018, has won the Spanish top-flight league three times with the club, apart from two Champions League and two Club World Cup titles.

He has scored 102 goals for Real in all competitions, and made his 300th appearance for the club in Saturday's 2-1 loss at Real Betis.

"I am very calm because my contract lasts until 2027 and I hope to renew my contract as soon as possible because I am happy here," Vinicius told a press conference on Monday, ahead of Tuesday's derby with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League's round of 16.

Reuters reported last month that Real were close to agreeing a contract extension with Vinicius.

"I am living the dream of playing with the best players in the world, the best coach, the best president, the best fans. Here everybody loves me so much. I couldn't be in a better place," Vinicius added.

Vinicius, who won the FIFA men's player of the year award for 2024, said it was his childhood dream to succeed at Real.

"Now I have managed to make it to here, I am writing my story," the 24-year-old said.

"I have won but I can still win much more and make it into the history of the club. That is very complicated because many good players have been here, legends, and I want to be just like them."



Anger Makes Messi More Dangerous, Says Miami Coach Mascherano Ahead of PSG Clash

 Inter Miami's Argentine coach Javier Mascherano celebrates his team's second goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group A football match between US Inter Miami and Brazil's Palmeiras at the Hard Rock stadium in Miami on June 23, 2025. (AFP)
Inter Miami's Argentine coach Javier Mascherano celebrates his team's second goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group A football match between US Inter Miami and Brazil's Palmeiras at the Hard Rock stadium in Miami on June 23, 2025. (AFP)
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Anger Makes Messi More Dangerous, Says Miami Coach Mascherano Ahead of PSG Clash

 Inter Miami's Argentine coach Javier Mascherano celebrates his team's second goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group A football match between US Inter Miami and Brazil's Palmeiras at the Hard Rock stadium in Miami on June 23, 2025. (AFP)
Inter Miami's Argentine coach Javier Mascherano celebrates his team's second goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group A football match between US Inter Miami and Brazil's Palmeiras at the Hard Rock stadium in Miami on June 23, 2025. (AFP)

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano believes Lionel Messi could channel his emotions into a standout performance against his former club Paris St Germain in Sunday's Club World Cup last-16 clash, suggesting the Argentine excels when he has a point to prove.

Messi, who joined PSG in 2021 after leaving Barcelona, spent two seasons in France, winning two Ligue 1 titles but failing to secure a Champions League trophy. His spell at the club was marked by a strained relationship with their fans, with Messi later admitting he had been "unhappy" in Paris.

"For us, it's better if Messi plays angry," Mascherano told ESPN. "He's one of those players who, when he has something stuck in his mind, gives a little extra."

Mascherano was part of Barcelona’s famous 6-1 comeback win over PSG in the 2017 Champions League last-16 when the Catalan side, who had lost the first leg 4-0 in Paris, were coached by PSG's current boss Luis Enrique.

Several Miami players took part in that epic encounter, with Jordi Alba staying on the bench, but Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets all starting.

Discussing the reunion with Luis Enrique, Mascherano said: "Luis Enrique is my friend, beyond having had him as a coach for three years.

"We have a very beautiful relationship. It will be an honor to face one of the best coaches I had in my career."