Marcelo to Vini Jr: ‘You need to keep quiet, train, and play’, wishes to play with Mbappe

Brazil legend Marcelo was a special guest on the Under The Goalposts podcast hosted by Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas.

During the interview between the two Real Madrid defensive legends, Marcelo was asked about Vinicius Junior and his early days at the club.

Marcelo also had words of advice for the Brazilian international, who has once again become the hot topic due to his supposedly poor relationship with Xabi Alonso.

Marcelo was still a part of the Real Madrid team when Vinicius Junior joined the club at the age of just 18.

The former left-back described how Vinicius came in as a kid with a good heart and a lot of on-field intelligence.

“When he arrived, he was an 18-year-old kid, like me. He had his issues, he had a lot of room for improvement,” he said.

Marcelo said that Vinicius knew what was needed to improve his game, adding, “A kid with a very good heart and very intelligent, he knew what he needed to improve.”

Marcelo went on to offer a word of advice to Vinicius amid speculation over his fractured relationship with Xabi Alonso.

The Brazilian legend urged Vini to keep things quiet and focus on his football. He urged him to stay calm about his situation.

“Right now, his intelligence and passing speed are undeniable. What’s happening outside? I’m not the person to give advice. When you’re at Real Madrid, you’re in the spotlight; we’ve all been in the spotlight,” he said.

“Vinicius’s situation is a bit more intense. Talking to people, coaches… It’s a problem for you. I think he needs to keep quiet, train, play, score goals, and let them talk, let them talk, let them talk… Stay calm, which is what he’s doing now,” he concluded.

After that initial bit of outburst, especially after the Barcelona, Vinicius has kept things quiet so far. But the fiasco may soon take place if Alonso plans to drop him for another game.

He was asked about Kylian Mbappe, and he admitted that it would have been a dream for him to play alongside Real Madrid’s number 10.

“He is very good, impressive, a physical wonder. He has a lot of qualities, he is hardworking, he fights, he scores goals… I love him, to be honest. I wanted to have played with him, but he was a little late (to join).”

Marcelo also gave his thoughts on Lamine Yamal, whom he would have been up against had he still been playing football at the age of 37.

“He’s very good. He would be a problem for me. Until my last day as a footballer, I hadn’t found a band, so it was more or less against me. They were always very fast…. Lamine would surely have haggled with me.”