The Brazilian hopes to spend the majority of his career with the La Liga giants after receiving the backing of his manager
Vinicius Junior revealed Zinedine Zidane had told him he could enjoy a long career at Real Madrid.

Vinicius, 19, has struggled to cement his place in Madrid since arriving ahead of the 2018-19 season, having starred for Flamengo.

The forward scored two goals in 18 La Liga appearances for the Blancos last term, adding a further two goals and six assists in cup competitions.

Editors' Picks
From burning boots to scoring boots - Meet Villarreal's Robben-like rising star Samuel Chukwueze
'I cut myself with a razor... I cut my own dignity' - The goalkeeper banned for life for faking an injury
De Ligt, Felix and the top 20 transfers of summer market
Pogba, Barcelona, Zidane & the winners and losers of the summer transfer window
Despite a mixed start to life in the Spanish capital, Vinicius claims Zidane has backed him to have a good career at Santiago Bernabeu, if he continues improving.

"Zidane always tells me to be relaxed and to keep growing because if I do so, and because I am so well treated by everybody, he says I'll be playing there for a long time," Vinicius told a news conference on Tuesday.

"Much like Marcelo and Casemiro, who have been there for a long time."

Vinicius has made three La Liga appearances to begin the season, although just one of those was a start – last month's 3-1 win at Celta Vigo.

When asked about playing on the right-hand side for Madrid, Vinicius said he was happy to play on either wing.

"When I was playing youth football, I did this a little and now I've come to play on the right at Real Madrid," he said.


"I think it's important for me and for my career, so that I can play well on both sides.

"Of course, I find the right side more difficult as I'm not so used to playing like this, but I'm trying to improve day by day, at each training session with Real Madrid."

Vinicius – who could make his senior Brazil debut in friendlies against Colombia and Peru this month – hopes he can take his chances and impress Zidane at Madrid early in the season.

"The beginning of the season is also a bit difficult. New players always are tested and Real Madrid now have plenty of players," he said.

"We are playing more and Zidane always talks to all the players, he gives opportunities to all of us at the beginning, so that we can have a good season."