| Date of Birth | July 12, 2000 |
|---|---|
| Place of Birth | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Height | 176 cm |
| Weight | 73 kg |
Biography
Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior was born on July 12, 2000, in São Gonçalo. His journey in football began in 2006 when his father took him to a Flamengo branch in the Mutuá district. In the club’s documents, young Vini was registered as a left-back.
He grew up in a modest Catholic family and, in order to continue training, moved to live with his uncle in the Abolição district to be closer to Flamengo’s training center — Ninho do Urubu. The club provided financial support to his family, and Vinícius went through futsal before ultimately choosing professional football. By 2010, he had been invited to join Flamengo’s full football academy.
Flamengo
On May 13, 2017, Vinícius made his senior debut in a Série A match against Atlético Mineiro. A few days later, he extended his contract, and in August he scored his first professional goal in the Copa Sudamericana. Soon, he began scoring regularly in the Brazilian championship as well.
Even before turning 18, Vinícius became the subject of a high-profile transfer: in May 2017, Real Madrid agreed to sign him for around €46 million — at the time, one of the largest transfers in Brazilian football history for a player of his age. The move officially took effect in the summer of 2018.
Real Madrid: The Making of a Star
Vinícius was officially presented by Real Madrid in July 2018. His first seasons were a period of adaptation: he made his La Liga debut in autumn 2018, delivered his first assists in the Copa del Rey, and gradually established himself in the starting lineup. In the 2019/20 season, he scored in El Clásico and won his first Spanish league title.
In the 2020/21 season, he scored a brace against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League, but the true breakthrough came in the 2021/22 campaign. Vinícius significantly improved his scoring output, formed a powerful partnership with Karim Benzema, and finished the season with 22 goals in all competitions. He scored the winning goal in the Champions League final against Liverpool, securing Real Madrid’s 14th title in the tournament.
Team Leader and New Heights
In the 2022/23 season, Vinícius won the FIFA Club World Cup and received the iconic No. 7 shirt at Real Madrid, previously worn by Raúl and Cristiano Ronaldo. He continued to be a key figure in the team’s attack.
The 2023/24 season confirmed his leadership status:
- extended his contract until 2027;
- scored a hat-trick in the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona;
- scored in the 2024 Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund;
- became the youngest player in history to score in two Champions League finals;
- was named the 2023/24 Champions League Player of the Season.
In 2024, Vinícius was included in the FIFPRO World XI, won The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2024 award, and finished second in the Ballon d’Or voting.
In January 2025, he reached 100 goals for Real Madrid, becoming the 23rd player in club history to achieve this milestone. In February 2025, he captained the team for the first time.
Brazil National Team
With Brazil’s youth national teams, Vinícius won the South American U-15 and U-17 Championships, being named both the best player and top scorer of the U-17 tournament.
He made his senior national team debut in 2019 and scored his first goal during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Chile. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he scored in the Round of 16 match against South Korea and helped Brazil reach the quarterfinals.
In 2024, he captained Brazil for the first time in a friendly match against Spain.
Today, Vinícius Júnior is one of the most exciting forwards in modern football, combining speed, technique, dribbling skills, and the ability to decide crucial matches.
Personal Life
Vinícius Júnior is a practicing Catholic and often speaks about faith as an important part of his life.
In 2021, he founded Instituto Vini Jr., a charitable organization in Rio de Janeiro that helps children from underprivileged areas gain access to education through sports and technology. The project aims to reduce educational inequality in Brazil.
In 2024, UNESCO appointed Vinícius as a Goodwill Ambassador for the “Education for All” program — making him the second footballer after Pelé to receive this status.
In November 2024, Vinícius underwent genetic testing that revealed his maternal lineage traces back to the Tikar people of Cameroon. The Brazilian Football Confederation ceremonially presented him with an official certificate at a stadium in front of fans.
Beyond football, Vinícius is a co-owner of Portuguese club F.C. Alverca, which competes in the Primeira Liga.
In 2025, Netflix released the documentary “Vini Jr.” dedicated to his life, career, and fight against racism — both on and off the pitch.
Interesting Facts
- Started as a left-back. In Flamengo’s academy documents, young Vinícius was registered in this position before becoming one of the most dangerous wingers in the world.
- Almost stayed in futsal. From 2007 to 2010, he played futsal at Flamengo’s school before fully committing to professional football.
- Named among the best U-21 players before moving to Europe. In 2017, The Telegraph included him in its top 40 players under 21 worldwide — and at the time he was the only representative playing in South America.
- The youngest goal scorer in 21st-century El Clásico. By scoring in October 2024 at the Santiago Bernabéu, he set an age record in the modern history of the Real Madrid vs Barcelona rivalry.
- The youngest player to score in two Champions League finals. Goals in the 2022 and 2024 finals allowed him to surpass the previous age record held by Lionel Messi.
- Brazil captain at the Bernabéu. In March 2024, he captained Brazil for the first time — and did so at his club’s stadium.
- A leading voice against racism in football. Following a series of incidents in Spain, he became one of the symbols of the international anti-racism campaign, and FIFA included him in a special anti-racism committee.
- Laws named in his honor. In the Brazilian states of Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande do Sul, so-called “Vini Jr. laws” were adopted, allowing matches to be suspended in cases of racist behavior.
- Recipient of the Sócrates Award. At the Ballon d’Or ceremony, he received the award for humanitarian work and contributions to social initiatives.
- Hero of a Netflix documentary. In 2025, the film “Vini Jr.” was released, focusing on his journey and social impact.
