Everything you need to know about Real Madrid's franchise player Vinícius Júnior
Vinícius Júnior, commonly known as Vini Jr., is a young Brazilian footballer who currently plays as a winger for Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team. He was born on July 12, 2000, in São Gonçalo, Brazil.
Vini Jr. started his football career at a young age, joining the youth academy of Flamengo, one of Brazil's biggest clubs, at the age of ten. He quickly rose through the ranks and made his senior team debut in 2017 at the age of 16.
His performances for Flamengo caught the attention of several top European clubs, and in 2018 he was signed by Real Madrid for a reported fee of €45 million, making him one of the most expensive teenagers in football history.
Since joining Real Madrid, Vini Jr. has established himself as one of the most promising young talents in world football. He possesses excellent technical abilities, including impressive dribbling skills and a keen eye for goal.
He has also shown great versatility, and is capable of playing on both wings, although he is primarily a left winger and has made that role his own since Carlo Ancelotti returned for a second stint at Real Madrid in 2021.
In his debut season with Real Madrid, Vini Jr. was one of the few lone bright spots in an otherwise disastrous campaign, making his breakthrough under Santiago Solari, before an injury against Ajax in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 ended his season.
However, he has become Los Blancos' poster boy in the last two years, playing an integral role in helping them clinch a La Liga-Champions League double in the 2021-22 season, scoring 22 goals in all competitions. He has also represented Brazil at various youth levels and made his senior team debut in 2019.
At just 22 years of age, Vini Jr. has already achieved a lot in his career and has already become one of the best players in the world.
However, what are some of the most interesting facts about the blistering Brazilian?
Humble beginnings
Vini Jr.'s football career began in 2006, when his father took him to Flamengo's branch in the Mutuá district of Sao Goncalo.
Born into a poor family, Vini came to live with his uncle Ulisses in Abolição in order to get closer to Ninho do Urubu (the 'Vulture's Nest').
In an interview with AS in 2020, Carlos Eduardo Abrantes – director of the Escolinha de Flamengo and known as the man who discovered Vini – spoke about his childhood days.
"His mother stayed in São Gonçalo and his father worked in São Paulo, in another state. He was a building manager. His mother took him to training and looked after those things," Abrantes stated.
"We got him a school bag to bring to training because they had financial difficulties. We We helped him where we could. We also got him boots although he ended up getting a contract with Nike.
"His family did the rest with regards to transport above all when he started in the academy. His parents got him everything, they are so important in his career."
AdvertisementWas documented as a left-back
When he initially joined the Flamengo school, the club document described him as a left-back.
However, that was a mistake on the club's part as he demonstrated his skills while playing as an attacker.
Started out with futsal
From 2007 to 2010, Vini took futsal lessons at the Flamengo School of São Gonçalo, located in Canto do Rio, a famous club in the center of Niterói.
In 2009, at the age of nine, he took part in futsal trials at Flamengo.
The club saw potential in him, but in view of his youth he was asked to come back the following year. However, he decided he wanted to play football instead of futsal and did not return.
Getty ImagesYoungest foreign scorer in El Clásico history
When Barcelona visited Real Madrid on 1st March, 2020, Vini broke the deadlock in the 71st minute to score his first-ever El Clásico goal.
In doing so, he beat Lionel Messi's record (19 years and 259 days) to become the youngest foreign goalscorer in El Clásico history, aged 19 years and 230 days.