Vinícius Júnior facts for kids

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Vinícius Júnior

Vinícius Júnior in 2021
Personal information
Date of birth	(2000-07-12) 12 July 2000 (age 23)
Place of birth	São Gonçalo, Brazil
Height	1.76 m
Playing position	Winger
Club information
Current club	Real Madrid
Number	7
Youth career
2005–2017	Flamengo
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2017–2018	Flamengo	50	(11)
2018	Real Madrid B	5	(4)
2018–	Real Madrid	160	(38)
National team‡
2015–2016	Brazil U15	10	(7)
2016–2017	Brazil U17	19	(17)
2018–2019	Brazil U20	4	(0)
2019–	Brazil	26	(3)
Honours Representing  Brazil Copa América Runner-up 2021 South American U-15 Championship Winner 2015 South American U-17 Championship Winner 2017
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:06, 11 November 2023 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 16:08, 17 November 2023 (UTC)

Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior (born 12 July 2000), commonly known as Vinícius Júnior or Vini Jr. (Brazilian Portuguese: [viˈnisjuz ˈʒũɲoʁ]), is a Brazilian professional footballer and activist who plays as a winger for La Liga club Real Madrid and the Brazil national team. Considered one of the best players in the world, he is known for his speed, strong dribbling abilities, and playmaking skills.

Born in São Gonçalo, Vinícius began his professional career at Flamengo, where he made his senior debut in 2017, at age 16. A few weeks later, Vinícius was the subject of a transfer to La Liga club Real Madrid, for whom he signed for in a £38 million deal, which was a national record for an U-18 player. The transfer was made effective after his 18th birthday, with Vinícius debuting for the club in 2018–19. By his fourth season, Vinícius had established himself as a prominent member in Real Madrid's squad, helping the club win the 2021–22 La Liga title and scoring the winning goal in Real Madrid's 2022 UEFA Champions League final win.

At his youth stage for Brazil, he was a key player in the victory at the 2015 South American U-15 Championship and 2017 South American U-17 Championship, finishing as leading goalscorer in the latter competition. He made his senior debut in 2021 and helped his nation to a runner-up finish at the 2021 Copa América and represented them at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Club career

Early career

Vinícius Junior's football career began in the year 2006, when his father took him to the branch offices of Flamengo, in the neighborhood of Mutuá, in São Gonçalo where he lived. His club document described him as a left-back.

Hailing from a poor family, Vinícius went to live in Abolição with his uncle, Ulisses, to shorten the distance to Ninho do Urubu (the "Vultures' Nest"). He started to receive financial aid from Flamengo as well as aid from entrepreneurs.

Between 2007 and 2010, Vinícius attended futsal classes at Flamengo's school in São Gonçalo at the Canto do Rio, a famous club located in the centre of Niterói.

In 2009, when Vinícius was nine, he took a futsal trial for Flamengo. The club noted his potential, but given his young age, he was asked to come back the following year. However, he decided he wanted to play football, not futsal, and did not return. In August 2010, Vinícius passed his football tests at Flamengo.

Flamengo

Vinícius playing for Flamengo in 2018

Vinícius debuted for Flamengo on 13 May 2017 as an 82nd-minute substitute in a Brazilian Série A 1–1 draw against Atlético Mineiro. Two days later he extended his contract with the club from 2019 until 2022, with a significant salary increase and a buyout clause increase from €30 million to €45 million. This contract renewal was reported as being part of the transfer process of Vinícius to Real Madrid, an agreement reached between the two clubs in Gávea that week with an obligation to sell the young player in July 2018.

On 10 August 2017, Vinícius scored the first professional goal of his career in a Copa Sudamericana second round leg 2 match against Palestino in a 5–0 win for Flamengo. He scored one goal, 30 seconds after being substituted on in the 72nd minute. On 19 August, he scored his first Brazilian Série A goals for Flamengo, in a 2–0 win against Atlético Goianiense.

Real Madrid

On 23 May 2017, La Liga club Real Madrid signed a contract to acquire Vinícius, effective after his 18th birthday on 12 July 2018 (as age 18 is the minimum age for international transfer). He transferred for a reported fee of €46 million, which was at the time, the second most expensive sale of a player in the history of Brazilian football (behind only Neymar), the largest amount received by a Brazilian club for a transfer, and the highest amount ever paid by a club for a footballer under the age of 19. He was originally scheduled to return to Brazil on loan in July 2018.

2018–21: Development and adaptation to Spain

On 20 July 2018, he was officially presented as a Real Madrid player. He was issued squad number 28. He made his debut on 29 September, coming in as an 87th minute substitute in a goalless draw against Atlético Madrid. Vinícius made his first start on 31 October in a 4–0 Copa del Rey away victory against Melilla, contributing with assists for both Marco Asensio and Álvaro Odriozola in what Marca recognised as a Man of the Match performance. He scored his first goal on 3 November 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute in a 2–0 victory against Real Valladolid. He scored four goals between his debut on 29 September and 7 February 2019. On 6 March, he tore a ligament during a loss to Ajax, which ended his season.

On 11 December 2019, he scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in a 3–1 away win over Club Brugge in the 2019–20 season. On 1 March 2020, he scored the first goal in a 2–0 win for Real in El Clásico against Barcelona. He made 29 appearances during the league season, while scoring three goals, as Real Madrid won the 2019–20 La Liga.

On 6 April 2021, Vinícius scored two goals in a 3–1 win against Liverpool in the first leg of the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. Real Madrid would advance to the semi-finals where they lost to eventual champions Chelsea.

2021–22: First-team breakthrough, second league title, UEFA Champions League winner

Vinícius Jr. in a trophy presentation ceremony at Virgin of Almudena in 2022

Vinícius started the 2021–22 season by scoring Real Madrid's fourth goal in a 4–1 away victory over Alavés on the opening day of the La Liga campaign. On 22 August, he scored a brace in a 3–3 draw against Levante coming off the bench, which earned him a first-team place, ahead of Eden Hazard. On 30 October, he scored twice as Real Madrid won 2–1 at Elche to go top of the La Liga table. The goals were his sixth and seventh of the league season and his eighth and ninth overall, surpassing his total output of six goals in all competitions during the 2020–21 season in just 14 matches. On 12 May 2022, he scored his first hat-trick for Real Madrid in a 6–0 victory over Levante.

On 28 May, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 win over Liverpool in the Champions League final to clinch Madrid their record 14th UEFA Champions League title. Vinícius ended the 2021–22 season as Real Madrid’s second-best goalscorer with 22 goals in all competitions, only behind his attacking partner Karim Benzema. For his performances Vinícius was named the inaugural Champions League young player of the season and included in the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League team of the season.

2022–23: FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball, Champions League semi-finals, and inheritance of No. 7 shirt

On 11 February, Real Madrid defeated Al-Hilal 5–3 in the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup final as Vinícius scored a brace to claim the tournament's best player award and his second Club World Cup title. On 21 February 2023, Vinícius scored two first-half goals to power Real Madrid's 5–2 comeback win at Anfield against Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League knockout stage round of 16 tie.

On 9 May 2023, Vinícius made a significant contribution to Real Madrid's performance in the first leg of the semi-final against Manchester City, scoring a remarkable long-range goal in the 36th minute. Alongside teammates Rodrygo and Karim Benzema, he created numerous opportunities, showcasing Real Madrid's counter-attacking prowess against Manchester City's dominant possession. The match ultimately ended in a 1–1 draw. However, in the second leg of the semi-final, Real Madrid suffered a crushing 4–0 defeat against City, thereby ending their campaign for the Champions League title. He was selected in the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League team of the tournament.

In the aftermath of Hazard's departure, Real Madrid confirmed that Vinícius, who previously wore the No. 20 shirt, will be sporting the club's iconic No. 7 jersey, once worn by Cristiano Ronaldo and Raúl, from next season onwards.

2023–24: Decisive La Liga contributions, injury recovery, and contract extension

On 19 August 2023, Vinícius scored the decisive goal in a La Liga match against Almería, contributing to Real Madrid's victory alongside teammate Jude Bellingham, who netted the previous two goals. On 25 August 2023, Vinícius sustained an injury to his right biceps femoris muscle during a league match against Celta, a game that Real Madrid ultimately won 1–0. On 27 September 2023, Vinícius made his return to play in a league fixture against Las Palmas after recovering from his injury. On 3 October, he got his first Champions League goal of the season, netting the 1–1 equaliser in Madrid's away game against Napoli, which eventually ended in a 3–2 win.

Real Madrid announced on 31 October 2023 that they had extended Vinícius' contract until 30 June 2027.

International career

2015–2019: Success at youth level

On 30 October 2015, Vinícius Júnior was called up for Brazil by coach Guilherme Dalla Déa for the South American U-15 Championship. Vinícius and Brazil won the U-15 title and he was the 2nd top-scorer of the tournament with seven goals. He was named player of the tournament and continued to perform which helped him convince Flamengo to sign him by the age of 16. On 24 June 2016, Vinícius was called up for a friendly against Chile U-17 and scored two goals and provided two assists in the 4–2 victory.

In March 2017, Vinícius debuted in the South American U-17 Championship for Brazil with a goal in a 3–0 victory over Peru. In the final stage, he scored two goals in a 3–0 win over Ecuador and two goals in a 3–0 victory over Colombia, securing Brazil's place in the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India, where Brazil (without Vinícius Júnior) eventually would finish third. After leading Brazil to win the South American U-17 Championship, Vinícius Júnior was named the tournament's best player and was top goal-scorer with seven goals.

2019–2022: Senior and World Cup debuts

Vinicius Jr with Brazil in 2022 FIFA World Cup group stage match against Serbia

On 28 February 2019, Vinícius was called up to the Brazil national team for the first time for friendlies against Panama and the Czech Republic. However, he suffered an injury while playing for Real Madrid, and David Neres was called up in his place in March. In May, he was excluded from Brazil's final 23-man squad for the 2019 Copa América by manager Tite. He made his senior international debut on 10 September, as a 72nd-minute substitute in Brazil's 1–0 defeat to Peru.

Vinícius was named in Brazil's 2021 Copa América squad by Tite on 9 June 2021, which would be held on home soil. He made a substitute appearance in his nation's 1–0 defeat to rivals Argentina in the final on 10 July.

On 24 March 2022, Vinícius scored his debut goal for the national team, in a 4–0 home win over Chile in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match at the Maracanã Stadium.

On 7 November 2022, Vinícius was named in the Brazil squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup by Tite. In the opening group match against Serbia on 24 November, he set-up Richarlison's second goal to help Brazil to a 2–0 victory. He scored his first FIFA World Cup goal in a 4–1 win against South Korea in the round of 16 on 5 December, also setting up Lucas Paquetá's goal, helping Brazil qualify for the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by Croatia four days later following a 4–2 penalty shoot-out loss after a 1–1 draw.

Anti-racism activism

Vinícius has been subject to racist slurs and chants from football fans in Spain.

Following a series of racist incidents directed at him during his time with Real Madrid, Vinícius was selected on 15 June 2023, by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, to lead a special FIFA anti-racism committee composed of players. This role has amplified his impact on the sport, positioning him as a prominent figure in the fight against racial discrimination in football.

Outside football

Vinicius is Catholic. He runs and funds a charitable institute in Rio — Instituto Vini Jr — an organisation that aims to use technology and sport to educate young Brazilians and, ultimately, alleviate some of the education related inequality in the country.

Career statistics

Club

International

Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first.

List of international goals scored by Vinícius Júnior

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	24 March 2022	Estádio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil	12	Chile	2–0	4–0	2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
2	5 December 2022	Stadium 974, Doha, Qatar	19	South Korea	1–0	4–1	2022 FIFA World Cup
3	17 June 2023	RCDE Stadium, Barcelona, Spain	22	Guinea	4–1	4–1	Friendly

Honours

Real Madrid

• La Liga: 2019–20, 2021–22
• Copa del Rey: 2022–23
• Supercopa de España: 2019–20, 2021–22
• UEFA Champions League: 2021–22
• UEFA Super Cup: 2022
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2018, 2022

Brazil U15

• South American U-15 Championship: 2015

Brazil U17

• South American U-17 Championship: 2017
• BRICS U-17 Football Cup: 2016

Individual

• Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior Best Left-Winger: 2017
• South American U-17 Championship Best Player: 2017
• La Liga Player of the Month: November 2021
• UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: 2021–22, 2022–23
• UEFA Champions League Young Player of the Season: 2021–22
• La Liga Team of the Season: 2021–22, 2022–23
• FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2022
• Sócrates Award: 2023

See also

In Spanish: Vinícius Júnior para niños