Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior has revealed how he helped the club beat Liverpool to the signing of Jude Bellingham.
The former Birmingham City midfielder moved to the Bernabeu from Borussia Dortmund this past summer for an initial transfer fee of £88 million.
Liverpool had been long time admirers of the 20-year-old, but pulled out of the race to sign the player after it became clear how expensive it would be to complete a deal with the German outfit.
Vinicius Junior played a role in Real Madrid capturing Bellingham by texting the youngster “for months” to convince him it was the right club join, employing the same tactic he did with Eduardo Camavinga.
“I didn’t know Bellingham but I knew that other teams wanted him so I texted him,” he told l’Equipe, via Fabrizio Romano.
“I did the same as I did with Camavinga: texting for months and telling him Real is the best club in the world. (Real Madrid chief scout) Juni Calafat knows that if I can help him, I will.”
Vinicius also revealed that he one day intends to leave Real Madrid and rejoin his boyhood club back in Brazil, Flamengo, after making a promise to his father.
“I think I could stay here my whole career, but the club of my life is Flamengo. I promised my father I would go back one day. I have to keep this promise,” Vinicius said.
The 23-year-old added: “I love life here in general, and it’s going well for my family too. When my loved ones walk around, they are recognised and they wish us nothing but happiness. Little by little, I discovered this new life, new emotions, a fervor… Madrid is unique.
“Everyone around the world tells me about this club. And apart from that, I like it. I’m quite a homebody but we do a lot of activities.”
