Vinicius Jr. broke down in tears as he declared that signing for Real Madrid was the biggest mistake of his career and confessed that Barcelona was, in fact, the club he loved since childhood. At the same time, he expressed his desire to join Barcelona next season to make Real Madrid regret it. However, President Joan Laporta’s immediate reaction broke his heart.
The football world has been rocked by explosive statements from Real Madrid’s Brazilian star, Vinicius Jr., who, in an emotionally charged press conference on July 23, 2025, stunned fans and media alike. With tears in his eyes, the 25-year-old forward confessed that signing for Real Madrid in 2018, when he was just 18, was “the biggest mistake” of his career. In an even more surprising twist, Vinicius revealed that his heart has always belonged to FC Barcelona, Real Madrid’s eternal rival, and expressed his fervent desire to join the club next season to, in his words, “make Real Madrid regret not valuing my true potential.” However, Barcelona president Joan Laporta’s immediate response was not what the player had hoped for, plunging him into a deep state of disappointment.
Vinicius Jr. arrived at Real Madrid from Flamengo with enormous expectations, considered one of the most promising talents in world football. Over the years, his speed, dribbling, and match-winning ability made him a key player, especially under Carlo Ancelotti, with whom he reached the pinnacle of his career by decisively contributing to the 2022 Champions League title. However, the 2024-2025 season has been difficult for the Brazilian. Injuries, media pressure, and a tense relationship with new coach Xabi Alonso have hampered his performance, leading him to a personal and professional turning point.
In his statement, Vinicius was full of emotion. He recalled his childhood in São Gonçalo, Brazil, where he dreamed of playing at the Camp Nou, inspired by Barcelona legends like Ronaldinho and Neymar, his youth idols. “I was always a culé at heart. My family and I watched all of Barça’s games, and it was my dream to wear that shirt,” he confessed. According to the player, his decision to join Real Madrid was influenced by financial circumstances and the pressure of his surroundings at the time, but now he feels he hasn’t been able to fulfill his true dream. His words, laced with frustration, also included a direct challenge to Real Madrid: “I want to go to Barcelona and show on the pitch what I’m truly worth. I want them to feel my absence.”
The reaction in the football world was swift. Real Madrid fans, who for years have celebrated Vinicius’s goals and dribbles, felt betrayed, while on social media, Barcelona supporters debated whether the club should open its doors to a player who, although talented, has been a symbol of their eternal rival. However, the hardest blow for Vinicius came from Joan Laporta, president of FC Barcelona. In a brief statement to the press after the Brazilian’s remarks, Laporta was blunt: “We respect Vinicius as a player, but Barcelona has a clear identity and a project based on La Masia and on players committed to our philosophy from the beginning. We are not considering his incorporation at this time.” These cold and direct words were a cold shower for the forward, who, according to witnesses, left the press conference visibly shaken.
The situation presents a complex scenario for both Vinicius and Real Madrid. With a contract tying him to the club until 2027, any move to Barcelona would be a huge transaction, both financially and symbolically. Furthermore, the relationship with Xabi Alonso, already strained due to tactical differences, could deteriorate further following these statements. On the other hand, Real Madrid faces a dilemma: retain a player who has publicly expressed his desire to leave or negotiate his exit to avoid an internal conflict that could affect the dressing room.
Meanwhile, the transfer market remains open, and rumors about Vinicius’s future continue to grow. Clubs like Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City have also shown interest in the past, which could further complicate matters. For Barcelona, the possibility of signing Vinicius, although remote, would generate unprecedented media coverage, but also internal tensions, especially considering the current stability of the club under Hansi Flick and the rise of young talents like Lamine Yamal.
The Vinicius Jr. drama has opened an unexpected chapter in Spanish football. Will the Brazilian be able to fulfill his childhood dream, or will his words condemn him to an uncertain future away from Real Madrid? For now, the football world waits with bated breath for the next steps in this story that combines passion, rivalry, and heartbreak
