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Vinicius Junior: Winning Champions League was rollercoaster for Real Madrid

Vinicius Junior has recalled last season's exciting run to victory in the Champions League.

The Brazilian talked up his relationship with Karim Benzema and highlighted the second leg of the semi-final against Manchester City at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu as the key moment.

"Some games become an emotional rollercoaster and we know how to turn things in our favour. In two minutes, Rodrygo came on and scored two goals that took us into the final. It was the most important moment of this competition, the game against City," he told UEFA.

"It's the DNA of this club and this shirt and it always comes out in the big games. We have players who know how to tackle games in the Champions League.

"After a wonderful season, it was only fair that we crowned ourselves with a victory in the final. I've been playing football for more than 15 years and you never know when you're going to play in a final, so I wanted to enjoy it as much as possible."

The Brazilian was the hero against Liverpool, scoring the game's only goal.

"It was an unrepeatable feeling," he said. "Only those who have scored in this type of match in the Champions League can understand this feeling. It's indescribable. You don't know how to express it, how to tell it, there's no way to explain it.

"Only those who have lived football and gone through the emotions that we have experienced this season know how important it is and how happy it makes you.

"It is an important moment with the most prestigious shirt in the world and in the most important competition.

"The Bernabeu is a unique place in the world and with our fans; that's why we celebrate so much. We had celebrated LaLiga a few days before and we celebrated the Champions League after a brilliant season," he said.

His partnership with Benzema was key.

"It's always important to have influence in matches and Karim always tells me to be brave. You have to shoot to score or pass to assist," he said. "If not, keep the ball. Our connection has been very good and we've been able to win a lot of games together."

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