Former Real Madrid youngster expresses desire to return: ‘The best experience I had in my life’ | OneFootball

Vinicius Tobias was one of the players Real Madrid swooped on loan during the beginning of the war between Russia and Ukraine when players were permitted to leave given the unforeseen circumstances.

He was signed with the Castilla side and he made his debut for the subsidiary team in April 2022 in a game against Alcoyano.

Nine months later, he enjoyed a special moment when he made his debut for the first team in the Copa del Rey clash against Arandina. The following summer, however, he left back for Shakhtar Donetsk.

Tobias’ interview

Speaking to MARCA in a recent interview, the Brazilian defender was asked about his thoughts on Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid and his time at the club. 

He began by speaking about his compatriot, who has been in the news for several reasons this season.

“No, the truth is that Vini is a perfect player. He has many qualities. On the field and outside too. As a person, he is an excellent companion. And he’s a boy who works a lot,” he began.

“So, I think a lot of people talk about Vini, but for me, they should also talk about everyone who plays in Madrid. Because it’s not just a single player who makes the difference. They them all,” he added.

Concluding in support of Vinicius, he said: “But Vini, for me, the work he has been doing, the games he plays, for me is excellent.”

Tobias was then asked to reminisce about his days at the club and how his stint at Real Madrid went.

“I think every player has to do different things to reach the level you dream of playing. So, I arrived in Madrid and I had no experience as a professional first team player, the truth,” he began.

“Because in Brazil I was playing with the U-20. And I went to Shakhtar, I spent a month in Shakhtar and went to Madrid. So, when I arrived in Madrid, it was another life, with great players, another job,” he added.

Vinicius Tobias would love to return to Real Madrid. (Photo by Mateusz Slodkowski/Getty Images)

Commenting on his adaptation to Real Madrid, the defender said,

“Then, it was my turn to adapt to work first. So, the work I had there with Ancelotti, with Raul, for me was excellent for my life as a person, as the way of working, of changing the way I play, my body, keeping the shape.”

“I think Madrid for me was the best experience I had in my life. So, now I think, as I know how things work, now I think I have to work, play the games well so that one day I can return to Madrid or go to another big team,” he added.

Vinicius Tobias was then asked if he felt his time at Real Madrid played a role in shaping him into the player he is today.

“Of course, for me it was the best possible experience in Madrid.”

“It was a difficult time also because I wanted to play with the great players, but it was also good to look at the players, what they did, so that I can do it now too and become a player as they are,” he added.

Finally, he was asked if he would have fit into Real Madrid’s plans had he still been at the club, to which he said,

“I could be a different Vini if I had stayed in the first team, because look now the first team has many young players who are debuting, players who played with me in Castilla, who are now in the first team.”

“So, for me, I don’t know if I wasn’t lucky, because when I left, Carvajal was injured, Lucas Vázquez was injured too. They didn’t have another full-back, and Valverde was also playing as a full-back in many games,” he added.

“So, I don’t think about bad luck or things like that: what I have to do now is work so that one day I can return,” he concluded.