'The only thing I can do is on the pitch -- to give my all. I won't always be technically perfect, but I will always give 100% for the team.'
Vinicius Jr delivered a scintillating performance to inspire Real Madrid to a commanding 6-1 victory over Monaco in the Champions League on Tuesday, silencing recent criticism from fans.
The Brazilian winger, named UEFA's man of the match, orchestrated the rout with several dazzling dribbles, two assists, and a spectacular goal.
However, the 25-year-old admitted after the match that the booing he has faced from the Bernabeu crowd in recent weeks had taken its toll.
"This performance means a lot, because of everything that has been happening in recent days," Vinicius told TNT Sports.
"The change of coach, losing the (Spanish Super Cup) final, being knocked out of the Copa del Rey -- playing for the biggest club in the world comes with high demands. Sometimes we don't understand the boos, but I know the size of the club and the weight of the shirt."
The hostility peaked during Saturday's LaLiga match against Levante, where Vinicius was jeered throughout, particularly during the announcement of the starting lineup.
Fans were left disillusioned after a turbulent month that included a Spanish Super Cup defeat to Barcelona, an embarrassing 3-2 Copa del Rey exit to second-division Albacete, and the abrupt sacking of manager Xabi Alonso after just seven months in charge.
Media reports of internal tensions, including clashes between Alonso and Vinicius, further darkened the mood at the Bernabeu.
But Tuesday's emphatic display, led by Vinicius, appeared to turn the tide.
"The only thing I can do is on the pitch -- to give my all. I won't always be technically perfect, but I will always give 100% for the team," Vinicius said.
"I don't want to be booed at home, where I feel comfortable. But the fans have their rights, and I am here to evolve. I want to stay at Real Madrid for a long time."
Since joining Real Madrid in 2018, Vinicius has been integral to the club's successes, winning the Champions League twice. He scored in both finals – against Liverpool in 2022 and Borussia Dortmund in 2024, the year he also won FIFA's The Best Award.
Mbappe, Vinicius shine as Real Madrid thrash Monaco 6-1
Kylian Mbappe struck twice and Vinicius Jr scored a spectacular solo goal and provided two assists as Real Madrid cruised to a 6-1 victory over Monaco at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday in the Champions League.
The comprehensive victory lifted Real to second place in the standings with 15 points, level with third-placed Bayern Munich and trailing leaders Arsenal by six, as they moved closer to securing a top-eight finish and direct qualification for the round of 16.
Monaco are 20th on nine points, giving them a chance of reaching the knockout-phase playoffs.
Mbappe opened the scoring in the fifth minute and gave Madrid a two-goal lead when he found the net again in the 26th, while Franco Mastantuono added their third goal six minutes after halftime.
Monaco defender Thilo Kehrer inadvertently turned a Vinicius cross into his own net in the 55th minute and the Brazilian crowned his man-of-the-match performance in the 63rd with an extraordinary solo goal, firing into the top corner after dribbling past three Monaco defenders inside the box.
Monaco pulled one back in the 72nd minute with a Jordan Teze strike before Jude Bellingham added to Real's tally with a strike from inside the box in the 80th.
The tension that permeated the Bernabeu during Saturday's LaLiga clash with Levante was absent as Real Madrid's inspired display won over a crowd frustrated by recent setbacks and the sacking of manager Xabi Alonso last week.
The fans showed their support, particularly for Vinicius Jr and Bellingham, who faced whistles on Saturday but received cheers this time around.
It took Real Madrid just five minutes to seize the initiative with Mbappe driving in a low finish after a good run by Mastantuono from the right and he extended their lead in the 26th minute through a clinical counter-attack.
Arda Guler's incisive through ball found Vinicius bursting down the left. The Brazilian surged into the box and delivered a precise low cross that Mbappe calmly tapped past Monaco keeper Philipp Kohn's for his second of the night.
'I think that more than embracing me, Vinicius was embracing all Real Madrid fans around the globe'
After halftime, Real Madrid turned on the style. In the 51st minute, Vinicius darted through the middle and slipped a perfectly weighted through ball to Mastantuono, who fired a first-time finish into the far corner.
Vinicius continued to torment the Monaco defence with another dangerous run down the left that ended with a low cross into the box that forced Kehrer into an own goal as he inadvertently turned the ball past his own keeper.
In the 63rd minute Vinicius scored the goal of the night, unleashing a thunderous shot into the top right corner, prompting the crowd to chant his name while he celebrated with new manager Alvaro Arbeloa. It was his first goal at the Santiago Bernabeu since early October.
"I think that more than embracing me, Vinicius was embracing all Real Madrid fans around the globe," Arbeloa told Movistar Plus.
"Everyone is very happy about the partnership between Vini and the fans and we are going to enjoy Vini here for a long time.
"I think it was a wonderful match, in our stadium, with our fans. The players enjoyed themselves, there were some great goals – this is what we want to see."
Monaco pulled one back, capitalising on a Real Madrid mistake. Dani Ceballos lost the ball on the edge of his own box, allowing Teze to pounce and fire a low shot past Thibaut Courtois.
Real Madrid, however, were not content with five. Bellingham added to the tally after Federico Valverde pounced on a rebound on the edge of the box.
The Uruguayan played a composed through ball to the Englishman, who rounded Kohn before slotting into an empty net.
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