Real Madrid wonderkid Vinicius Junior dreaming of making Brazil's World Cup squad after speaking to Ronaldinho

  • Vinicius Junior is hopeful of being called up to Brazil's World Cup squad this year
  • Seventeen-year-old striker Vinicius will join Real Madrid from Flamengo in July
  • He wants to cap a remarkable summer by making his senior international debut
  • Vinicius is feeling optimistic after a conversation with Brazil legend Ronaldinho

Real Madrid teenager Vinicius Junior is hopeful of being included in Brazil's World Cup squad this summer.

The 17-year-old, who will officially join Real from Flamengo on his 18th birthday in July, helped his boyhood club win the Taca Guanabara this week.

Striker Vinicius told Globo that he will continue to do his utmost at club level in a bid to earn call-up for Russia 2018.

Teenage star Vinicius Junior is hopeful of being called up to Brazil's World Cup squad this year

Teenage star Vinicius Junior is hopeful of being called up to Brazil's World Cup squad this year

Seventeen-year-old striker Vinicius will join Real Madrid from boyhood club Flamengo in July

Seventeen-year-old striker Vinicius will join Real Madrid from boyhood club Flamengo in July

And Vinicius is feeling optimistic after a conversation with Brazil legend Ronaldinho.


'I dream of going [to the World Cup],' said Vinicius.

'Recently I spoke with Ronaldinho and he told me that they always take a young player.

'He told me to always remain focused, so that if the opportunity presents itself, I would be prepared. I keep this in my thoughts, you know, because he is Ronaldinho.

'I have always admired him a lot. He is the idol of all of us who love football. I have the dream of one day wearing the shirt of Brazil's Selecao.

'I don't know whether that will be this year or next, but I am evolving every day with Flamengo so that I can reach the moment when I can represent Brazil.' 

Real agreed to pay Flamengo a fee in the region of £38million for Vinicius when his transfer to the Bernabeu was arranged last year.

After joining Real this summer, he is due to return to Flamengo on loan for a further 12 months.

Vinicius wants to cap a remarkable summer by making his senior international debut for Brazil

Vinicius wants to cap a remarkable summer by making his senior international debut for Brazil

Ronaldinho gave Vinicius cause for optimism by telling him Brazil 'always take a young player'

Ronaldinho gave Vinicius cause for optimism by telling him Brazil 'always take a young player'

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