Eduardo Camavinga told reporters in Athens that he has become a new man with more discipline after a difficult summer, saying he returned to school and worked on his mindset following the red card that ended his Champions League season against Bayern Munich, elmundo.es reported.

The Real Madrid midfielder addressed the media at the Agia Sophia Stadium, also known as Allwyn Arena, ahead of his team’s Champions League match against AEK Athens. Camavinga is expected to start after providing an assist in the Clásico, and he used the press conference to reflect on the months since his sending-off in the quarterfinal second leg against Bayern.

Bayern Red Card Marked a Turning Point

Camavinga described his dismissal against Bayern as a moment unlike any other in his career, one he has thought about extensively. He said there is always something to learn and that talking with Mourinho helped him during the summer. The French international, now in his fifth season at Madrid, has won two Champions League titles with the club but has also endured stretches of inconsistent form.

Harvard Course and “Invisible Work” Behind the Change

Asked to detail what changed over the summer, Camavinga pointed to work that nobody sees. He completed a summer course at Harvard Business School, met people he learned from, and addressed mental aspects he normally did not. He said he now arrives two to three hours before training and completes double sessions with greater intensity, adding that this invisible work has changed his mentality and made him more mature. He also said he learned not to listen to everything the media says, particularly when criticism touches his family.

Vinicius Remains Committed to Madrid, Camavinga Says

Camavinga, one of Vinicius Junior’s closest friends in the dressing room, dismissed suggestions that the Brazilian winger wants to leave the club despite his contract renewal last summer. The midfielder said Vinicius has been a Madrid fan since childhood, has a white heart, loves the club, and that he does not believe his friend would want to go.

Both Starters for Champions League Trip to Athens

Mourinho confirmed Vinicius will start against AEK, taking advantage of a La Liga suspension that runs until November 21. The coach said the squad has quality options on the wing, naming Brahim Díaz, Endrick and Diomande as players capable of featuring on either flank, but added that Vinicius is the most adapted to the left side. Camavinga’s start against AEK follows his standout assist in the Clásico.

Real Madrid visit Allwyn Arena in Athens to face AEK in the Champions League.