Vinícius Júnior
Born 2000 · Age 25
Brazilian professional footballer, forward for Real Madrid and the Brazil national team. Known for pace, technique and dribbling. Multiple domestic and continental titles; winner of The Best FIFA Men's Player 2024.
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Life & Career Timeline
Started at Flamengo youth school
Father took him to branch offices of Flamengo in Mutuá; began footballing career at Flamengo-affiliated school.
Futsal training at Canto do Rio
Attended futsal classes (2007–2010) at Flamengo's school in São Gonçalo (Canto do Rio).
Futsal trial (unsuccessful)
Took a futsal trial for Flamengo at age nine and was asked to return the following year.
Accepted into Flamengo football youth team
After a successful trial in August 2010 he joined Flamengo's football youth team (transition from futsal).
Called up to Brazil U15 / South American U-15 Championship
Selected for Brazil U15 squad; Brazil won the tournament and Vinícius scored seven goals and was named player of the tournament.
Called up and starred for Brazil U17 (friendly v Chile)
Called up for a U17 friendly vs Chile; scored two goals and provided two assists in 4–2 victory.
South American U-17 Championship – key contributor
Debuted in the competition with goal vs Peru; scored multiple goals in final stage to help Brazil win and secure U17 World Cup qualification.
Senior debut for Flamengo
Made Flamengo senior debut as an 82nd-minute substitute in a Série A 1–1 draw against Atlético Mineiro.
Contract renewal with Flamengo (buyout clause increase)
Extended contract (initially to 2022), significant salary increase and buyout clause raised from €30M to €45M; reported to be part of Real Madrid transfer process.
Real Madrid contract signed (effective on 18th birthday)
Real Madrid agreed to acquire Vinícius; transfer reported at €46 million (reported also as ~£38–39m); deal was to be effective from his 18th birthday (12 July 2018).
First professional goal (Flamengo)
Scored his first professional goal 30 seconds after being subbed on in Copa Sudamericana 5–0 win vs Palestino.
First Série A goals
Scored his first Brazilian Série A goals in a 2–0 win against Atlético Goianiense.
Official Real Madrid presentation
Presented as a Real Madrid player at the Santiago Bernabéu and issued squad number 28.
Real Madrid debut (LaLiga)
Made Real Madrid debut as an 87th-minute substitute in 0–0 draw against Atlético Madrid.
First Real Madrid start (Copa del Rey) – two assists
Started in a 4–0 Copa del Rey win at Melilla and provided assists for Marco Asensio and Álvaro Odriozola; Marca recognised him Man of the Match.
First Real Madrid goal
Scored his first Real Madrid goal 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute in 2–0 win vs Real Valladolid.
First senior Brazil national team call-up
Called up to Brazil senior team for friendlies against Panama and Czech Republic; withdrew later due to injury.
Season-ending ligament injury
Tore a ligament in match against Ajax, which ended his 2018–19 season early.
Senior Brazil debut
Made senior debut as a 72nd-minute substitute in Brazil's 1–0 defeat against Peru.
First UEFA Champions League goal
Scored his first UCL goal in a 3–1 away win over Club Brugge in the 2019–20 season.
First El Clásico goal
Scored Real Madrid's first goal in a 2–0 win over Barcelona.
La Liga title (2019–20)
Real Madrid won La Liga 2019–20; Vinícius made contributions across the season.
Founded Instituto Vini Jr.
Started the Instituto Vini Jr., an organisation to facilitate access to schooling and education for disadvantaged Brazilian children and teens.
Brace vs Liverpool (UCL quarter-finals first leg)
Scored two goals in a 3–1 win against Liverpool in the first leg of the 2020–21 Champions League quarter-finals.
Named in Brazil's Copa América squad (2021)
Selected by manager Tite for Brazil's squad for the 2021 Copa América held in Brazil.
Substitute appearance in Copa América Final vs Argentina
Appeared as a substitute in Brazil's 1–0 defeat to Argentina in the final.
2021–22 season opener goal vs Alavés
Scored Real Madrid's fourth goal in a 4–1 away victory on La Liga opening day.
Brace v Levante and secured starting spot
Scored two goals after coming off the bench in a 3–3 draw, which helped secure a first-team place ahead of Eden Hazard.
Two goals vs Elche (top of La Liga)
Scored twice in a 2–1 win to take Real Madrid to top of the La Liga table.
La Liga Player of the Month (November 2021)
Awarded LaLiga Santander Player of the Month for November 2021.
First senior international goal (Brazil)
Scored his debut goal for Brazil in a 4–0 World Cup qualifier win over Chile at the Maracanã.
First hat-trick for Real Madrid
Scored a hat-trick in a 6–0 win over Levante.
Scored winning goal in 2021–22 UEFA Champions League Final
Scored the only goal in a 1–0 win vs Liverpool to clinch Real Madrid's 14th Champions League title.
UEFA Champions League Young Player of the Season
Named inaugural Champions League Young Player of the Season and included in team of the season.
Named in Brazil's 2022 FIFA World Cup squad
Selected by manager Tite for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Assist vs Serbia (World Cup opening group match)
Set up Richarlison's second goal in Brazil's 2–0 opening win vs Serbia.
First World Cup goal (vs South Korea, Round of 16)
Scored in 4–1 victory vs South Korea and provided an assist to Lucas Paquetá.
FIFA Club World Cup – Golden Ball & title (2022)
Scored a brace in the final vs Al-Hilal (5–3) and won the tournament's best player award and FIFA Club World Cup title.
Owner stake reported in F.C. Alverca (Portugal)
Listed as an owner of F.C. Alverca, which plays in Portugal (date unspecified in source).
‘Vini Jr. laws’ (anti-racism legislation) approved in Brazilian states
Anti-racism legislations nicknamed 'Vini Jr. laws' were approved in Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande do Sul to suspend sporting events upon racist conduct.
Included in FIFPRO World XI (2023 and 2024)
Named in the FIFA FIFPRO Men's World 11 for 2023 and again in 2024.
FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball (2022 tournament awarded Feb 2023)
Awarded the FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball after contributing decisively in the final vs Al-Hilal.
2 goals at Anfield (Champions League comeback)
Scored two first-half goals in Real Madrid's 5–2 comeback win at Liverpool in the UCL round of 16 first leg.
Racist effigy incident & arrests
An effigy of Vinícius was hanged in Madrid; on 23 May 2023 four men were arrested in connection with the effigy; led to widespread condemnation.
Real confirmed he would wear No. 7 (2023–24)
After Eden Hazard's departure Real Madrid confirmed Vinícius (previously No.20) would wear the club's iconic No.7 shirt from 2023–24 season.
Selected to lead FIFA anti-racism players' committee
Chosen by FIFA president Gianni Infantino to lead a special FIFA anti-racism committee composed of players.
Right biceps femoris injury
Sustained an injury during a league match against Celta; subsequently returned to play on 27 Sept 2023.
Contract extension with Real Madrid until 30 June 2027
Real Madrid announced his contract renewal, extending his stay until June 30, 2027.
Sócrates Award at Ballon d'Or ceremony
Received the Sócrates Award (2023) for humanitarian projects and anti-racism work during the Ballon d'Or ceremony.
UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education for All
Appointed UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education for All in 2024; second footballer after Pelé to receive such an appointment.
Globe Soccer Best Player & Best Forward (2024)
Received Globe Soccer awards for Best Player of the Year and Best Forward in 2024.
ESM Team of the Year / UEFA Team of the Season recognitions
Included in ESM Team of the Year and multiple UEFA/La Liga Teams of the Season across 2021–24.
Named The Best FIFA Men's 11 (2024)
Included in The Best FIFA Men's 11 for 2024 as part of the end-of-year FIFA awards.
Hat-trick vs Barcelona – Supercopa de España final
Scored a hat-trick in a 4–1 victory over Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final.
Tie-winning goal vs RB Leipzig (UCL last 16)
Scored the decisive goal to help Real Madrid advance to UCL quarter-finals; part of a rich scoring run in March (6 goals in 4 matches).
First time captaining Brazil senior team
Served as captain for Brazil for the first time in a friendly vs Spain at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Goal vs Barcelona to virtually seal La Liga title
Scored in Real Madrid's 3–2 home win over Barcelona contributing to the league title run.
Brace vs Bayern Munich (UCL semi first leg)
Scored twice in a 2–2 away draw; helped reach 20+ goals for third straight season and scored in UCL semi for third consecutive season.
Scored in 2023–24 UEFA Champions League Final (Real Madrid win)
Scored in Real Madrid's 2–0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the 2024 UCL Final; became youngest player to score in two Champions League finals (23y 325d).
UEFA Champions League Player of the Season (2023–24)
Named UCL Player of the Season after registering six goals and five assists in campaign.
Two goals in 2024 Copa América group match vs Paraguay
Scored his first two goals of the tournament in Brazil's 4–1 win against Paraguay; received a yellow card that match.
Brazil eliminated from 2024 Copa América (quarter-finals)
Missed the quarter-final due to suspension; Brazil were eliminated by Uruguay on penalties in the quarter-finals.
First continental hat-trick (UEFA competition) vs Borussia Dortmund
Scored a continental (UEFA) hat-trick in a 5–2 comeback win over Borussia Dortmund.
Genetic ancestry results revealed
In November 2024 received genetic results from African Ancestry, Inc.; maternal lineage traced to Tikar people of Cameroon; certificate presented by CBF.
Ballon d'Or runner-up (2024)
Finished second in the 2024 Ballon d'Or voting, behind Rodri.
The Best FIFA Men's Player 2024
Named The Best FIFA Men's Player for 2024 at FIFA awards in December.
FIFA Intercontinental Cup champion & Player of Tournament / Golden Ball
Assisted and scored in the 3–0 final win over Pachuca; Real Madrid crowned inaugural FIFA Intercontinental Cup champions; Vinícius named Player of Tournament and received Golden Ball.
100th and 101st goals for Real Madrid (Champions League)
On 22 January 2025 scored his 100th and 101st goals for Real Madrid in a 5–1 Champions League win over Red Bull Salzburg; became the 23rd player to reach 100 goals for the club.
First time wearing Real Madrid captain's armband
Wore Real Madrid captain's armband for the first time during Copa del Rey semi-final first leg vs Real Sociedad.
Netflix documentary 'Vini Jr' released
Netflix released a documentary film (directors Emílio Domingos and Andrucha Waddington) chronicling his life, career, and response to racism (May 2025 release reported).
Key Achievement Ages
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