Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior has explained how playing in the Champions League became his "dream" when he was growing up in Brazil.

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Vini Jr appearing in new Pepsi ad campaignStar takes on role of cowboy in telenovelaReflected on childhood Champions League dreamFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The winger spent much of his childhood in Brazil watching Europe's top teams battle it out in the prestigious club competition and was given the chance to realise his dream at just 18 years old when he joined Madrid from Flamengo. He has since won the illustrious trophy on two occasions, most recently scoring in the final as Real beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in last season's showpiece.

Reflecting on his journey from watching on television to playing in the tournament, Vinicius said: "When I was younger and growing up in Brazil, I clearly remember sprinting back from school as fast as I could to catch the start of European matches. I also remember being glued to the screen, dreaming of one day playing on those pitches. Seeing my idols in the Champions League gave me so much inspiration – it was fuel for my dream to play at the highest level."

He has now scored in two Champions League finals and could become the first ever to score in three should he guide Madrid to the decider again, though he is putting team records before individual acclaim.

"The Champions League is the biggest stage, and to make history in a competition by scoring in multiple finals would be unforgettable," he said. "However, the most important thing is always the team’s success – winning trophies comes first, not personal records. To achieve that, we need to stay grounded and focus solely on the next game, taking it step by step."

AdvertisementPepsiVINI TALKS THE BRAZILIAN STYLE

His upbringing in the South American nation had an obvious impact on the 24-year-old's playing style, as he developed many of the attributes typical of the Selecao stars that came before him.

"I think having an explosive and dynamic playing style which is full of flair is the essence of Brazilian football culture," he added. "Growing up, we played for hours on the streets with friends, where there were no strict rules or tactical systems – just the freedom to express yourself and try new things. It was all about creativity, improvisation, and surprising your opponents. That environment shaped my game and explains not just my style, but the flair you see in so many Brazilian players. It’s about bringing that same joy and unpredictability onto the biggest stages."

VINI JR THE COWBOY

Vinicius' rise to global stardom has earned him a place front and centre of Pepsi advert campaigns in recent years, seeing him take on a few different characters. He has saddled-up as a cowboy transported into a traditional Telenovela scene in the latest film for the drinks company. A second film will put him in the role of a martial artist.

Asked for which character has been his favourite, he said: "I’ve played a few different characters in various campaigns for Pepsi and it’s hard to pick a favourite because each one was so much fun! But I have to say, the cowboy outfit was such an unexpected and fun look for me. As for what’s next? Who knows! Maybe I’ll get to be a superhero or even dive into the world of music. I’m always up for a challenge, so let’s see what creative ideas the Pepsi team comes up with next!"

Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR VINI JR?

Vinicius already has five goals to his name in this season's Champions League, though Madrid have won just three matches in the competition this term. The attacker will aim to help his side improve on that record when they come up against Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday.

Pepsi's latest global football campaign attempts to encourage fans of the global game to disrupt their midweek routines by watching the Champions League. The campaign – titled Football Always Wins – features ambassadors Vinicius and Manchester City's Jack Grealish and sets out to show that the beautiful game has the edge over other forms of entertainment.