Vinicius Junior says being the favourite for the Ballon d'Or is a big boost for his confidence after a stellar campaign for Real Madrid in 2023-24.
The Brazilian was an influential figure for Los Blancos as they won a record-extending 15th Champions League and a 36th LaLiga title, as well as the Supercopa de Espana.
Madrid also added the UEFA Super Cup to their trophy cabinet earlier this month, beating Europa League winners Atalanta to claim the trophy.
After a successful club season, Vinicius is being tipped for the Ballon d'Or, along with team-mates Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe, and he believes that recognition has pushed him to be better.
"I don't really talk about myself or the Ballon d'Or, but it's something that in the last few months everyone has been asking me about and talking about the players," Vinicius told CNN.
"Everyone is talking and wishing the best for me, and I end up believing I am the best and each day that goes by inside the pitch because everyone is saying good things about me, I have more confidence.
"I don't know what will happen. May the best man win, and I know I am one of the favourites to win this trophy and if I can win it, I'll be very happy."
Vinicius would be just the fifth Brazilian to win the prestigious accolade after Kaka, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo and Ronaldo (twice), who is one of the big names to throw his support behind the 24-year-old.
Vinicius became just the fifth player to score in both of their first two Champions League final appearances, after Samuel Eto'o, Sergio Ramos, Lionel Messi and Mario Mandzukic.
He was also integral to Madrid's title charge, with only Bellingham (19) scoring more goals than him (15).
"I never think about the numbers while I'm on the field. That's what gives me the peace of mind to be able to score so many goals, so many assists and help my team in the most important moments because it's where I feel the most comfortable, which is playing against the best," he added.
"It's where I have the most space, the most confidence. It's where my team-mates trust me the most, because they know, in important moments, I'm going to be there to help all of them and to do what's important, which is to have fun on the field."
Vinicius joined Real Madrid in July 2018, winning three LaLiga titles, a Copa del Rey, two Champions Leagues, three Supercopa de Espana titles, two UEFA Super Cups and the Club World Cup twice.
Despite their storming success, the winger is still targeting more history, with an elusive European treble as their aim for this season.
"I've always dreamed of playing for Real Madrid, so I cherish every moment like it was the last," he said.
"Everyone wants to win for the best team on the planet, and to be able to play with the best and to be able to score so many goals in so many finals and to be able to help so much.
"I'm only 24 years old, and I want to continue like this for much longer and to create history in this great team I play in today. Not everyone has that chance to do that, so I talk about enjoying every moment in this jersey.
"The Champions League comes first, which is the most difficult competition – followed by La Liga and then the Copa del Rey.
"Each one has its own pressure because the weight of the Champions League is because it's where Real Madrid always wants to win.
"And not only the players, the fans as well demand that of us, to win that competition, but our goal now is to try and win everything we enter and finally be able to win the treble."
Atalanta sign Patricio, Musso joins Atletico on loan
Rui Patricio has signed for Atalanta on a one-year deal as a free transfer following his departure from Roma.
The 36-year-old left the Italian capital after the expiry of his contract, being replaced as first-choice keeper by Mile Svilar when Daniele De Rossi took over as manager.
Patricio joined Roma in July 2021 and made 129 appearances, keeping 48 clean sheets in all competitions. He won the inaugural Europa Conference League title with the club.
At international level, he earned 108 caps for Portugal and was part of the team that won the 2016 European Championship.
Atalanta announced the signing hours after goalkeeper Juan Musso moved to Atletico Madrid on loan until the end of the season.
Musso was limited to just 24 appearances for Atalanta in all competitions last season but played a huge role as the club claimed just the second trophy in their history by beating Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final.
In 11 Serie A appearances last season, Musso made 23 saves and conceded 12 goals, keeping six clean sheets.
Stern test: Wounded Mount Pleasant face CFU Club Shield winners Arnett Gardens in tough Concacaf Carib Cup tie
After a topsy-turvy week in which they lost their opening Concacaf Caribbean Cup encounter, sacked Harold Thomas, and brought back Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore, Mount Pleasant FA will be hoping to ride a more positive wave when they engage Arnett Gardens on Tuesday.
While it will be Mount Pleasant’s second Group A outing, having lost 0-2 to reigning Jamaica Premier League (JPL) champions Cavalier last week, Arnett Gardens will be wetting their feet in the tournament for the first time since winning the Caribbean Club Shield, and they will be intent on maintaining their rich vein of form.
Sabina Park should be abuzz for the 5:00pm encounter, which has mouth-watering prospects, as Arnett Gardens and Mount Pleasant have met several times in the JPL with both teams securing six wins apiece while drawing another five. However, this will be their first ever meeting in this tournament.
With both teams hunting their first point to stay in touch with group leaders Cavalier (three points), as well as Trinidad and Tobago’s Police FC and Haiti’s Real Hope on a point each, it is anybody’s guess where the points will go, if not being shared.
Though targeting victory on return to the St Ann-based club, Whitmore is by no means grandstanding against a high-riding Arnett Gardens.
“Arnett Gardens are just coming out of a tournament, which they won. So they will be upbeat. Our players know the task at hand. They know it’s going to be a difficult game, but I think this unit is up for it,” Whitmore said in a pre-game conference.
“It’s for us to put ourselves out there and give 110 percent. But there is one other thing, and that is to get a positive result. We have not spent a lot of time with the players, so we are still trying to put the pieces together. Hopefully, come match day, we will be ready,” he added.
For Arnett Gardens Head coach Xavier Gilbert, this encounter represents the start of their quest to cop a coveted double-title feat, much like last year’s winners, SV Robinhood of Suriname.
“It would be nice to win the double, but we just want to take it one step at a time and not think too far ahead. This first game is going to be extremely tough because Mount Pleasant are coming off a loss, and I am sure they will want to ensure that they stay in the hunt,” Gilbert stated.
“They are a quality team, and they have acquired some good players, so it is going to be tough, but we are going to put our best foot forward and ensure that we get something out of the game. We anticipate that Whitmore, who coached them last year, knows the players well, and he will probably put the pieces together despite not having a lot of time,” he noted.
Elsewhere in Group B on Tuesday, Dominican Republic’s Moca FC will host Trinidad and Tobago's AC Port of Spain at the Estadio Moca 85.
Both are on a point each, same as another Dominican Republic outfit, Cibao FC, who will also host Antigua and Barbuda club Grenades FC at the Estadio Cibao.
Grenades FC, who were runners-up to Arnett Gardens in the CFU Club Shield, will be out for the first time in this tournament.
Meanwhile, Group A leaders Cavalier will be back in action on Thursday against Police FC at Sabina Park.
Merino makes Arsenal switch from Real Sociedad
Arsenal have announced the signing of Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad on a four-year contract.
The midfielder has joined in a deal worth up to £31.6million, with the option to extend his stay for an extra year.
Merino is returning to the Premier League, having signed for La Real from Newcastle United in 2018.
He made 242 appearances for the Spanish side in all competitions, scoring 27 goals and registering 30 assists.
Last season, he won 326 duels, the most of any player in the top five European Leagues, while his 197 recoveries in LaLiga were the most of any outfield player for La Real.
"Mikel is a player who will bring us huge quality with his experience and versatility," Mikel Arteta said of his new signing.
"He has played at the top of the game at both club and international level for a number of seasons now. Mikel will make our squad significantly stronger, with his technical ability, together with his strong and positive character and personality.
"As we all saw in the summer, Mikel is also a winner, with his strong performances throughout the Euros helping Spain win the tournament. We are delighted to welcome Mikel and his family to the club and can't wait to start working with him."
Merino is the fourth signing by Arsenal during this transfer window, after Tommy Setford, Riccardo Calafiori, and the permanent move for David Raya.
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