One of the major talking points at Real Madrid this season has been Vinicius Junior, who has only played 12 minutes of first team action and who has been featuring most weeks with the club’s second team, Castilla.

But for all the criticism of his lack of game time for Julen Lopetegui’s side, the 18-year-old has revealed that he called for opportunities with Castilla as he would rather be plying his trade in the third-tier rather no competitive action at all.

“I did pre-season with the first team aware that I could end up playing with the B team,” the Brazilian said in an interview.

“I asked to play there if I wasn’t going to be considered because it’s better than staying at home.

“This was to allow myself to adapt to the style of play and to adapt to the setting, getting used to everything that a player needs.”