Vinícius Júnior

Who Is Vinícius Júnior?

Vinícius Júnior is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a left winger for Real Madrid and the Brazil national team. He is widely regarded as one of the best players in the world.

His story is extraordinary. It is a story of poverty overcome. It is a story of talent unleashed. Most importantly, it is a story of a young man who refused to let his beginnings define his ceiling.

With over 300 appearances and more than 200 goal involvements for Real Madrid, he has already won three La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions Leagues, scoring in both European finals. In 2024, he was also crowned The Best FIFA Men’s Player.

Furthermore, he became the first Brazilian to win the Ballon d’Or since Ronaldinho in 2005 — a 19-year gap finally closed by one of the most electrifying players in the game’s history.

Early Life: Rising From the Favelas of São Gonçalo

A Childhood Shaped by Hardship

Born on July 12, 2000, in São Gonçalo, Brazil, Vinícius grew up in one of the most dangerous favelas. His family lived in a modest home that belonged to his grandmother. The area was known for crime and violence, and the most useful app on phones was Onde Tem Tiroteio (Where There’s Gunfire), which warned locals of shootouts.

Raised in a low-income household, he navigated early life amid harsh realities, where limited resources and exposure to urban peril shaped an environment demanding self-reliance and survival instinct.

However, football gave him direction. It gave him purpose. It gave him a way out.

Father, Football, and a Six-Year-Old’s Dream

Vinícius Júnior was born to Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira and wife Fernanda in São Gonçalo. When Vinícius was six, his father took him to play for a school affiliated with the football club Flamengo. As a child, he played left back and idolized Brazilian footballer Robinho.

From childhood, Vinícius cultivated his football abilities through barefoot street games in São Gonçalo’s potholed alleys — a practice common in the region’s underprivileged communities that emphasized improvisation and endurance over structured coaching.

The Sacrifices Behind the Dream

The journey to Flamengo’s academy was not easy. The next few years were a struggle. Vinícius had to travel about 45 miles (70 km) twice a day to get to and from the Flamengo training center.

Hailing from a poor Catholic family, Vinícius went to live in Abolição with his uncle, Ulisses, to shorten the distance to Ninho do Urubu — Flamengo’s famous training ground known as the “Vultures’ Nest.” He started to receive financial aid from Flamengo as well as from local entrepreneurs.

His parents worked hard to provide for the family and ensured that he remained focused on school and football. Their sacrifices became the foundation of everything he would later achieve.

Career at Flamengo: A Star Is Born (2017–2018)

The Record Transfer Fee

Vinícius launched his senior career with Flamengo in 2017 at age 16, scoring on debut and helping secure the Copa Sudamericana and Campeonato Carioca titles before his €45 million transfer to Real Madrid in 2018.

He made his senior debut for Flamengo at just 16 years of age before moving to Real Madrid to embark on his journey in European football.

His time at Flamengo was brief. But it was enough. Real Madrid had seen all they needed to see.

Career at Real Madrid: Building a Legend (2018–Present)

The Early Years: Finding His Feet

When Vinícius arrived in Madrid, he wore the No. 28 shirt. He was still a work in progress. Vinícius began with the No. 28 while he was still looking to break into the starting eleven. He later switched to the No. 20, forming a formidable partnership with Karim Benzema.

Those early years tested him. Critics were vocal. Doubters were plentiful. Nevertheless, he kept working. He kept improving. He kept believing.

The Iconic No. 7 Shirt

Following Eden Hazard’s departure, Vinicius inherited the iconic No. 7 shirt, worn by legends such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Raúl, and Emilio Butragueño.

In Brazil, he is nicknamed Malvadeza — meaning “the Wicked” — for the torment he inflicts on defenders with the ball at his feet. That nickname now adorns the back of the most iconic number in football.

2022 UEFA Champions League Final: The Goal That Changed Everything

Then came the night that silenced every doubter.

He scored the winning goal in the 2022 UEFA Champions League Final against Liverpool, which was arguably the moment that announced him to the world as a player who could decide the biggest games.

It was one goal. But it carried the weight of a lifetime of struggle. It was the goal that transformed Vinicius Júnior from a promising talent into a Champions League hero.

2023–24 Season: The Greatest Season of His Career

The 2023–24 season was nothing short of historic.

In December 2024, Vinícius won the FIFA Men’s Player of the Year award after scoring 24 goals in 39 appearances across all competitions.

He was widely considered the Ballon d’Or favorite after guiding Real Madrid to Champions League and La Liga glory. His 2023–24 season included 24 goals in 39 Real Madrid matches, 11 assists, plus decisive Champions League performances.

He also scored one of two goals in the team’s 2023–24 UEFA Champions League victory. Moreover, he received the Adidas Golden Ball and Aramco Player of the Tournament awards for his performance in FIFA’s Intercontinental Cup that year.

100 Goals for Real Madrid (January 2025)

On January 22, 2025, Vinícius scored his 100th and 101st goals for Real Madrid in a 5–1 Champions League win over Red Bull Salzburg, becoming the 23rd player to achieve this feat for the club.

A few months later, Vinícius led Real Madrid as captain for the first time in a February 26, 2025 game against Real Sociedad. It was a powerful statement of trust from the club — and a defining moment in his journey.

2025–26 Season: Continuing to Deliver

In 2025–26, he played 35 league matches, scoring 15 goals and providing 5 assists.

On February 17, 2026, during a Champions League match against Benfica, Vinícius scored the winning goal but was later involved in a heated confrontation after he reported an alleged racist remark from a player, prompting UEFA’s anti-racism protocol to be activated. Several Real Madrid teammates publicly supported him after the match.

International Career: The Yellow and Green of Brazil

Youth Career: A Champion From the Start

At youth level for Brazil, Vinícius was a key player in the victory at the 2015 South American U-15 Championship and the 2017 South American U-17 Championship, finishing as leading goalscorer in the latter competition.

Senior Brazil Debut and Copa América (2021)

He made his senior debut in 2021 and helped his nation to a runner-up finish at the 2021 Copa América.

2022 FIFA World Cup — Qatar

At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Vinícius set up Richarlison’s second goal in Brazil’s opening 2–0 win over Serbia, then scored his first World Cup goal and added an assist in the 4–1 round-of-16 victory over South Korea. Brazil looked like genuine contenders before they were stunned by Croatia in the quarter-finals, losing on penalties after a 1–1 draw.

2026 FIFA World Cup — USA, Canada, Mexico

Vinícius Junior is confirmed for Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad and enters the tournament as one of the world’s premier wingers.

Carlo Ancelotti — already Vinícius’s manager at Real Madrid — will coach Brazil at the 2026 World Cup. This continuity benefits Brazil’s preparation significantly.

At 25 years old, Vinícius enters the tournament at his physical peak. His consistent performances at club level have solidified his status as Brazil’s first-choice left winger.

Anti-Racism Activism: The Fighter Off the Pitch

A Personal Battle With a Global Stage

Vinícius Júnior is more than a footballer. He is a fighter for equality.

As a young Black footballer playing at the highest level of the sport, Vinicius Junior serves as a role model for aspiring athletes from diverse backgrounds.

In 2023, Vinicius received the Socrates Award for his humanitarian projects and fight against racism. The Brazilian footballer had faced racist abuse in his home country and continued to be targeted in Spain. Thanks to the attention his efforts received, the state of Rio de Janeiro passed the Vinicius Junior Law in 2023, which allows for the suspension or even termination of sporting events in response to racist behaviour.

The Instituto Vini Jr.

He runs Instituto Vini Jr., a charity in Rio de Janeiro that uses technology and sport to educate young Brazilians.

One of his notable contributions was funding the transformation of a closed school into a community centre in his hometown of São Gonçalo. The school had been inactive for ten years, but now serves as an educational hub for local children and youth.

Furthermore, through his charitable foundation and partnerships with non-profit organisations, Vinicius Junior supports initiatives that provide educational opportunities for underprivileged communities.

Personal Life: Family First, Always

Vinícius was raised in São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro. His parents are Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira and his mother, Ilza dos Santos. His family credits a strong support system and his mother’s sacrifice for his career. They now live in Madrid but maintain close ties to Brazil.

As of 2026, Vinícius prefers to keep his personal life private. He has publicly stated he is focused on football and philanthropy. His family-first values reflect his Brazilian cultural upbringing.

He is a Roman Catholic. He is sponsored by Nike, Gatorade, Pepsi, Roc Nation, and Unilever. According to Forbes, his net worth is estimated at between $80 million and $100 million as of 2026.

Career Statistics at Real Madrid (La Liga)

Season	Appearances	Goals	Assists
2017 (Flamengo)	25	3	1
2018 (Flamengo)	12	4	3
2023–24 (RM)	23	15	—
2024–25 (RM)	28	11	8
2025–26 (RM)	35	15	5

Honours and Trophy Cabinet

With Real Madrid

Trophy	Year(s)
UEFA Champions League	2021–22, 2023–24
La Liga	2019–20, 2021–22, 2023–24
Copa del Rey	2022–23
Supercopa de España	2020, 2022, 2024
UEFA Super Cup	2022, 2024
FIFA Club World Cup	2018, 2022
FIFA Intercontinental Cup	2024

Individual Awards

Award	Year
The Best FIFA Men’s Player	2024
Ballon d’Or	2024
Adidas Golden Ball (Intercontinental Cup)	2024
Aramco Player of the Tournament	2024
Socrates Award (Humanitarian)	2023
Intercontinental Cup Player of the Tournament	2024