The Real striker affirmed that the double against Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals was the result of his own striving and ignoring outside gossip.

Before the match at Di Stefano stadium on the evening of April 6, Vinicius only scored four goals in 36 matches in the 2020-2021 season. In addition, the 20-year-old Brazilian striker also faced criticism for his cumbersome play.

After scoring twice to help Real beat Liverpool 3-1, Vinicius affirmed: “Outsiders keep talking, I just work. I have worked a lot. In addition, my teammates have given me the strength and confidence to enter the field to score.”

With a 3-1 victory in the first leg, Real is holding a great advantage to enter the semi-finals of the Champions League. They have the right to lose a goal difference in the second leg at Anfield. Vinicius emphasized: “The important thing is to win. In the Champions League, winning 3-1 is a good result. We have worked a lot towards the most important moment of the season. However, we need to remember that it is not over. Liverpool are a strong team and have not given up hope. In the second leg, we have to play like today. We will do everything to win.”

Behind the front line, Toni Kroos plays a quiet but important role. The German midfielder helped Real prevail in the midfield and directly created the first goal for Vinicius. The 20-year-old striker praised: “Kroos plays great. Whenever he comes on the pitch, he shows his class. No one can play like him. I have to thank him for what he did today.”

After Real took a 2-0 lead in the first half, Liverpool rose to equalize a goal. It was Vinicius who extinguished that effort with a goal to make it 3-1. “We have trained to know how to stand up after difficult moments, for example a goal. Coach Zidane always gives us peace of mind when playing. Today, we did everything very well,” he added.