Vinícius Júnior
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 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. Over the following seasons, Vinícius established himself as a prominent member in Real Madrid's squad, helping the club win two La Liga–Champions League doubles, scoring the winning goal in the 2022 and 2024 finals, being named the tournament's Player of the Season in 2024.
At his youth stage for Brazil, Vinícius 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, also representing Brazil at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the 2024 Copa América in the United States.
Club career
Early career
His footballing career began in 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 Catholic 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. Flamengo noted his potential and he decided he wanted to play football, not futsal. In August 2010, Vinícius had a trial to play for the Flamengo youth team, and he accepted an invitation to play for their football team. Before, in 2009, when Vinícius was nine, he took a futsal trial for Flamengo, he was asked to come back the following year.
Flamengo
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: Breakthrough, second league title, and UEFA Champions League victory
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: Inheritance of the No. 7 shirt and Club World Cup title
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, would be sporting the club's iconic No. 7 jersey, once worn by Cristiano Ronaldo and Raúl, from 2023–24 season onwards.
2023–24: Second Champions League trophy
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. On 14 January 2024, he scored a hat-trick in a 4–1 victory over Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final. On 30 April, he netted a brace in a 2–2 away draw against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final first leg; hence, he managed to score at that round for the third consecutive season, in addition to reaching at least 20 goals in all competitions for the third straight season.
On 1 June, Vinícius scored in Real Madrid's 2–0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the 2024 UEFA Champions League Final, winning his second trophy in the competition. Aged 23 years and 325 days, he became the youngest player to score in two Champions League finals, beating Lionel Messi's record by thirteen days. Two days later, Vinícius was named the UEFA Champions League Player of the Season, registering six goals and five assists in Madrid's trophy-winning campaign.
2024–25
On 22 October 2024, Vinícius scored his first continental hat-trick in a 5–2 comeback win against Borussia Dortmund. He finished second in the 2024 Ballon d'Or behind Rodri.
International career
2015–2019: Success at youth level
On 30 October 2015, Vinícius 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) eventually would finish third. After leading Brazil to win the South American U-17 Championship, he was named the tournament's best player and was top goal-scorer with seven goals.
2019–2022: Senior and World Cup debuts
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 was 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.
On 26 March 2024, Vinícius captained the national team for the first time in a friendly against Spain at the Santiago Bernabéu, his club's home ground.
At the 2024 Copa América, Vinícius scored his first two goals in the tournament in Brazil's second group match, a 4–1 win against Paraguay, also picking up a yellow card; he picked up another booking in his nation's final group match, a 1–1 draw against Colombia, which ruled him out of the quarter-finals. In his absence, Brazil were eliminated following a 4–2 penalty shoot-out defeat after a goalless draw against Uruguay.
Style of play and reception
Shortly after his arrival at Real Madrid in July 2018, ESPN journalist Dermot Corrigan described Vinícius as a "zippy left winger or second striker". A versatile player, although he is usually deployed on the left flank, he is capable of playing anywhere along the front line, and has also been used on the right or in the centre. Possessing explosive acceleration, and excellent pace, agility, balance, technique, flair, dribbling skills, and close control at speed, as well as significant power, physical strength, and trickery on the ball, despite his slender build, he is known for his movement, energy, ability to run at defences, change direction quickly, and beat opponents in one on one situations while in possession of the ball.
Regarded as a promising young player, he is considered to be a dynamic, intelligent, hard-working, and nimble winger, with a low centre of gravity, as well as impressive passing and awareness. Moreover, he is known in for his eye for the final ball, and ability to provide assists to teammates, which make him an effective playmaker. Although he is also capable of scoring goals himself, his shooting and goalscoring were initially cited by pundits as areas in need of improvement, as his lack of end product was often a source of criticism in the media in his first few seasons at Real Madrid. In June 2017, Vinícius appeared at 39th place on The Telegraph's list of the best under-21 players in the world. He was the only player playing in South America at the time to appear on the list. In November 2018, former Argentina international frontman José Luis Calderón credited Vinícius' "general enthusiasm, his ability to make things happen, the joy and good vibrations he transmits, his speed, the fact he's different and the fact he's daring. To sum up, he has a spark that could be used by a team that has been plain in recent matches". In his youth with Flamengo, he was criticised, however, by several football figures, fans, and the press for "doing too many tricks," and for "[t]oo much individualism, not enough teamwork."
During the 2021–22 season, Vinícius had a breakthrough season with Real Madrid, and his goal scoring and assist output increased dramatically, enabling him to form an effective offensive partnership from the left wing with striker Karim Benzema. Regarding his change in form, Vinícus commented in December 2021: "I think I've improved in many things, but above all in my calmness in my play, I'm doing things with more tranquillity and more quality too." The club's manager Carlo Ancelotti also praised him for his defensive work-rate and positioning, in addition to his creative abilities and talent, noting that he was able to improve upon his tactical knowledge and physical condition throughout the course of the season, as well as his finishing. His performances led the Spanish press to compare him to compatriot Neymar. Following his goal in Real Madrid's victory in the 2022 Champions League final, Neymar himself described Vinícius as "the best player in the world." Later that month, Ed McCambridge of FourFourTwo ranked Vinícius as the second–best left winger in the world. Vinícius was also used in a free role as a left-sided forward or striker in a 4–3–1–2 formation during the 2023–24 season by manager Carlo Ancelotti; in this position, although he operated in more central areas, he was still given the freedom to move out wide or switch positions and link-up with Rodrygo on the other side of the pitch.
Activism
Anti-racism activism
In a few isolated incidents in 2023, Vinícius was subjected to racist slurs and chants from football fans in Spain, including an effigy of him being hanged from a bridge in Madrid. On 23 May 2023, four men were arrested by the Spanish Police in connection with the effigy. In response, Vinícius condemned La Liga for what he perceived as normalization of racism, and advocated for more stringent measures and penalties to combat racist behaviour. On 22 May 2023, Real Madrid released an official statement strongly condemning the racist abuse against Vinícius, viewing it as a direct attack on the democratic coexistence model of Spain; the club reported the incident as a "hate crime" to the Attorney General's Office, reserving its right to act as a private prosecutor in any ensuing proceedings. On 15 June 2023, Vinícius was selected by FIFA president Gianni Infantino to lead a special FIFA anti-racism committee composed of players.
Public response
Certain experts believe the global outrage and outpouring of support for Vinícius following his stand against racism could mark a turning point in the fight against racism in football and Spain in general. Guy Hedgecoe of BBC News said the issue has transcended the borders of Spain and of sport, as public figures from around the world are acknowledging that for which he stands. Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned racism and expressed his solidarity towards Vinícius while urging FIFA and other responsible football bodies to take the strongest actions possible. Brazil's iconic Christ the Redeemer statue switched off its lights in a show of support for Vinícius following racial slurs from Valencia fans at the Mestalla Stadium in Spain. Sean Gregory, writing for Time asserted: "The effects of racist abuse in the world’s most popular game are felt far beyond the stadium walls, that the ugliness persists in 2023 also on full, terrible display, at stadiums around the world is a forever stain on the so-called beautiful game." In Rio de Janeiro, representatives of more than 150 activist groups and non-profits delivered a letter to Spain's consulate, demanding an investigation into the league and its president. Flavio Dino, Brazil's minister of justice threatened Spain with applying principle of extraterritoriality over the Vinícius racism case, a penal code that protects Brazilian's human rights. Various sporting figures from around the world, including Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, coach Xavi, coach Carlo Ancelotti, pundit Rio Ferdinand, Real Madrid Femenino, and Real Madrid Baloncesto, as well as footballers Didier Drogba, Kylian Mbappé, Iñaki Williams, Raphinha, Ronaldo, Neymar, and Rafael Leão showered him array of praises and support. An anti-racism law (Vini Jr law) was approved and named after him, which will see sporting events stopped or suspended in the event of a racist conduct in the state of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. He also received awards from Rio's legislative assembly and city council and his footprints were added to the stadium's walk of fame, beside those of Brazilian greats such as Pelé, Garrincha and Ronaldo. Vinícius received the Sócrates Award at the 2023 Ballon d'Or ceremony for his humanitarian projects and fight against racism.
Education for all
In 2021, he founded the Instituto Vini Jr., an organisation to facilitate access to school for Brazilian children and teenagers from disadvantaged neighbourhoods. In 2023, he was awarded the Sócrates Award. In 2024, UNESCO appointed Vinícius Goodwill Ambassador for Education for All. He is the second footballer after Pelé to become a UNESCO ambassador.
Outside football
Vinícius is a Roman Catholic. He runs a charitable institute in Rio – Instituto Vini Jr – which 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
- As of match played 26 October 2024
Club | Season | League | National cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Flamengo | 2017 | Série A | 25 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 4 |
2018 | Série A | 12 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 13 | 4 | 32 | 10 | |
Total | 37 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 14 | 4 | 69 | 14 | ||
Real Madrid Castilla | 2018–19 | Segunda División B | 5 | 4 | — | — | — | 5 | 4 | |||
Real Madrid | 2018–19 | La Liga | 18 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 31 | 3 |
2019–20 | La Liga | 29 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 38 | 5 | |
2020–21 | La Liga | 35 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 49 | 6 | |
2021–22 | La Liga | 35 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 52 | 22 | |
2022–23 | La Liga | 33 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 55 | 23 | |
2023–24 | La Liga | 26 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 39 | 24 | |
2024–25 | La Liga | 11 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 8 | |
Total | 187 | 54 | 20 | 6 | 59 | 24 | 13 | 7 | 279 | 91 | ||
Career total | 229 | 65 | 26 | 6 | 71 | 27 | 27 | 11 | 353 | 109 |
- ^ Includes Copa do Brasil, Copa del Rey
- ^ Appearances in Copa Sudamericana
- ^ Appearance in Primeira Liga
- ^ Appearances in Copa Libertadores
- ^ Appearances in Campeonato Carioca
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
- ^ Appearance in FIFA Club World Cup
- ^ Appearance(s) in Supercopa de España
- ^ Two appearances in Supercopa de España, one appearance in UEFA Super Cup, two appearances and three goals in FIFA Club World Cup
- ^ Appearance in UEFA Super Cup
International
- As of match played 10 September 2024
National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
Brazil | 2019 | 1 | 0 |
2021 | 8 | 0 | |
2022 | 11 | 2 | |
2023 | 6 | 1 | |
2024 | 9 | 2 | |
Total | 35 | 5 |
- Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first.
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 |
4 | 28 June 2024 | Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, United States | 32 | Paraguay | 1–0 | 4–1 | 2024 Copa América |
5 | 3–0 |
Honours
Real Madrid
- La Liga: 2019–20, 2021–22, 2023–24
- Copa del Rey: 2022–23
- Supercopa de España: 2020, 2022, 2024
- UEFA Champions League: 2021–22, 2023–24
- UEFA Super Cup: 2022, 2024
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2018, 2022
Brazil U15
Brazil U17
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, March 2024
- La Liga Team of the season: 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24
- UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24
- UEFA Champions League Young Player of the Season: 2021–22
- UEFA Champions League Player of the Season: 2023–24
- FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2022
- FIFA FIFPRO Men's World 11: 2023
- Sócrates Award: 2023
- Samba Gold: 2023
References
- ^ "Acta del Partido celebrado el 19 de mayo de 2019, en Madrid" [Minutes of the Match held on 19 May 2019, in Madrid] (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
- ^ "Vinicius Jr". Real Madrid CF. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
- ^ "Golazo 100, men's soccer players top 10: Kylian Mbappe tops list; Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham close behind". CBS Sports. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
- ^ "Madrid present £38.7m teenager Vinicius". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
- ^ Ed McCambridge Contributions from Mark White (18 March 2022). "Ranked! The 10 best wingers in the world right now". FourFourTwo. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2022.
- ^ "Champions League final: Vinícius Júnior scores only goal as Real Madrid beat Liverpool to claim 14th title". UEFA. 28 May 2022. Archived from the original on 2 April 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
- ^ "Vinicius named Player of the Season as Real Madrid sweep Champions League awards". beIN SPORTS. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ "Real Madrid: Meet Vinicius in 44 responses: The 'dancinhas,' his idol Asensio, his desire..." MARCA in English. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2022.
- ^ "Flamengo dá aumento de salário e eleva multa de Vinícius Júnior para 45 mi de euros". Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). 4 April 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
- ^ "The Score". 23 May 2017.
- ^ "No duelo de favoritos, Flamengo e Atlético-MG empatam na estreia, e Maracanã vê estreia de joia de 16 anos". espn.com.br. 13 May 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
- ^ "El 'merengue' Vinicius Jr. debuta a los 16 años como profesional". Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 13 May 2017. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
- ^ "Flamengo dá aumento de salário e eleva multa de Vinícius Júnior para 45 mi de euros". Estadão Esportes (in Portuguese). 16 May 2017. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
- ^ "Another step on the way to Real: Vinicius Junior renews with Flamengo". Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). 15 May 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
- ^ "Enfim, o gol: após 385 minutos, Vinicius Junior desencanta e quebra o gelo no Fla". Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). 10 August 2017. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- ^ "Vinicius Junior makes first start". Marta. 11 June 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
- ^ "Da atuação relâmpago aos 90 minutos: Vinicius Júnior é protagonista pela 1ª vez". Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). 20 August 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
- ^ "Emelec x Flamengo – Taça Libertadores 2018". globoesporte.com (in Portuguese). Retrieved 10 August 2018.
- ^ "New Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior in tears after playing final game for Flamengo". Sport360. 11 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
- ^ "Official Announcement: Vinicius Junior" (Press release). Real Madrid CF. 23 May 2017. Archived from the original on 31 October 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
- ^ "Real Madrid sign 16-year-old Vinícius Júnior from Flamengo for £39.6m". The Guardian. London. 23 May 2017. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
- ^ "Real Madrid sign Vinicius Junior from Flamengo for reported £38m fee". Sky Sports. Retrieved 20 July 2018.
- ^ "Vinicius Jr. presentation at the Santiago Bernabéu". Real Madrid C.F. 20 July 2018. Archived from the original on 23 May 2023.
- ^ Siguero, Santiago; McTear, Euan (1 November 2018). "Vinicius makes his case for regular minutes". Marca. Spain: Unidad Editorial. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
- ^ "Fabulous Madrid derby has everything but goals". Marca. Spain. 29 September 2018.
- ^ Bell, Arch (31 October 2018). "Vinicius reignites Real: Brazilian leads way as Solari era starts with Copa win at Melilla". Marca. Spain: Unidad Editorial. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
- ^ "Vinicius changes Real's luck". Marca. Spain. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
- ^ "Vinicius Junior: Who is the teenager Real Madrid fans adore?". BBC Sport. 7 February 2019. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
- ^ "Vinicius Jr tears ligament in Real Madrid's shock Champions League defeat to Ajax". Sky Sports. 6 March 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
- ^ "Club Bruges 1–3 Real Madrid". BBC Sport. 11 December 2019.
- ^ "Real Madrid 2–0 Barcelona". BBC Sport. 1 March 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
- ^ "Real Madrid win the longest LaLiga Santander season". Marca. Spain. 17 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
- ^ "Real Madrid 3–1 Liverpool: Vinícius Júnior strikes twice". UEFA. 6 April 2021.
- ^ "N'Golo Kanté steals show for Chelsea even if forwards still lack cutting edge". The Guardian. London. 5 May 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
- ^ "Deportivo Alavés 1–4 Real Madrid". La Liga. 14 August 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
- ^ "Real Madrid rally for Levante draw through Vinicius in thrilling game". ESPN. 22 August 2021.
- ^ "Vinicius Jr. leads Real Madrid again with brace in win over Elche". ESPN FC. 30 October 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2021.
- ^ "Real Madrid cruise with Vinicius hat trick as Levante relegated". ESPN FC. 12 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
- ^ "Vinicius Jr goal in Champions League final gives Real Madrid result vs Liverpool". Sporting News. 28 May 2022.
- ^ Law, Joshua (28 May 2022). "12 outrageous stats from Vinicius Jr's stunning 21–22 season at Real Madrid". uk.sports.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 29 May 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ "Vinícius Júnior named 2021/22 UEFA Champions League Young Player of the Season". UEFA. 31 May 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
- ^ "2021/22 UEFA Champions League Team of the Season". UEFA. 31 May 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
- ^ "Vinicius grabs Golden Ball on triple-V podium". FIFA. 11 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ Howarth, Matthew; Hunter, Graham (21 February 2023). "Liverpool 2–5 Real Madrid: Vinícius Júnior and Benzema score two each in stunning comeback from Champions League holders". UEFA. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ^ McNulty, Phil (21 February 2023). "Liverpool 2–5 Real Madrid: Hosts thrashed by holders in Champions League last 16". BBC. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ^ Darko, Isaac (9 May 2023). "Vinicius Junior Scores a Cracker in Real Madrid vs Manchester City; Video". SportsBrief – Sport news. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ "Real Madrid 1–1 Manchester City: Vinicius Jr and Kevin De Bruyne both score stunners as tense first leg ends even". Eurosport. 9 May 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ "Real Madrid-Man City | UEFA Champions League 2022/23". UEFA. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ "Man City-Real Madrid | UEFA Champions League 2022/23". UEFA. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ "Man City thrash Real to reach Champions League final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ "2022/23 UEFA Champions League Team of the Season". UEFA. 11 June 2023. Archived from the original on 23 January 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
- ^ "Vinicius to wear iconic No. 7 Real Madrid jersey". ESPN. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ Darko, Isaac (13 June 2023). "5 Greatest Players To Wear Real Madrid's No. 7 Shirt As Vinicius Junior Joins Illustrious List". SportsBrief – Sport news. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
- ^ Cons, Roddy (19 August 2023). "Almería vs Real Madrid: Bellingham double, score, goals, highlights | LaLiga 2023–24". Diario AS. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "Real Madrid win despite Vinicius Junior injury as Jude Bellingham scores fourth goal in first three matches". CBS Sports. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ "Vini Jr. medical report | Real Madrid CF". Real Madrid CF. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ Brennan, Joe (27 September 2023). "Real Madrid vs Las Palmas". Diario AS. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ "Napoli 2–3 Real Madrid: Bellingham helps Los Blancos to entertaining victory in Naples". BBC. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ "Official Announcement: Vini Jr. renews until 2027". Real Madrid CF. 31 October 2023. Archived from the original on 12 November 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ "Vinicius Jr extends Real contract". BBC Sport. 31 October 2023. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ "Vinícius Júnior leads Real Madrid to Super Cup triumph over Barcelona". The Guardian. London. 14 January 2024.
- ^ Hincks, Michael (30 April 2024). "Bayern Munich 2–2 Real Madrid – Thrilling UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg ends all square". Eurosport.
- ^ Pettit, Mark (1 June 2024). "Real Madrid win Champions League: Carvajal and Vinícius Júnior see off Dortmund". UEFA. Archived from the original on 1 June 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ "Borussia Dortmund 0–2 Real Madrid: Carvajal and Vinícius secure 15th European crown". beIN SPORTS. 1 June 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ "Vinícius Júnior named 2023/24 UEFA Champions League Player of the Season". UEFA. 3 June 2024. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ "Real Madrid vs. B. Dortmund". UEFA. 22 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
- ^ "'Him against the world' - how Vinicius Jr's fight goes beyond football". BBC. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ Darwen, Chris (14 April 2020). "Vinicius Junior 2019/20 – scout report". Total Football Analysis Magazine. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
- ^ "CONMEBOL – SUB 17 Chile 2017 FASE Inicial Grupo B – Fecha 1". CONMEBOL.com. 24 February 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
- ^ "CONMEBOL – SUB 17 Chile 2017 FASE Final – Fecha 3". CONMEBOL.com. 13 March 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
- ^ "CONMEBOL – SUB 17 Chile 2017 FASE Final – Fecha 4". CONMEBOL.com. 16 March 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
- ^ "Vinicius Junior will not go to Under-17 World Cup". Marca. Spain. 29 September 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- ^ "Vinicius y un protagonismo estratégico". CONMEBOL.com. 20 March 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
- ^ "Vinicius Junior called up to Brazil national team for first time". sportsnet.ca. 28 February 2019. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Brazil Replace Injured Vinicius With Uncapped Ajax Star David Neres". beinsports.com. 8 March 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
- ^ Santi Siguero (17 May 2019). "Brasil deja a Vinícius y Marcelo sin Copa América". Marca (in Spanish). Spain. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
- ^ "Vinicius Jr. makes debut for Brazil". Real Madrid C.F. 11 September 2019. Retrieved 11 September 2019.
- ^ "Tite define convocados da Seleção Brasileira para a Copa América 2021" (in Portuguese). CBF. 9 June 2021. Archived from the original on 7 November 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
- ^ Graham, Bryan Armen (10 July 2021). "Argentina 1–0 Brazil: Copa América final – as it happened". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
- ^ "Brazil thrash Chile in World Cup qualifier". BBC Sport. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ "Seleção Brasileira está convocada para a Copa do Mundo FIFA Qatar 2022" (in Brazilian Portuguese). CBF. 7 November 2022. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
- ^ "Brazil 2–0 Serbia: World Cup 2022 – as it happened". The Guardian. London. 24 November 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
- ^ Child, Rohan Sharma, James Brownsell, David. "Brazil vs South Korea 4–1: World Cup 2022 – as it happened". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 29 May 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "World Cup quarter-final: Croatia 1–1 Brazil (4–2 pens) – as it happened". The Guardian. London. 9 December 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
- ^ Garcia, Adriana (26 March 2024). "Vinícius Júnior to captain Brazil in Spain anti-racism game". United States: ABC News. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
- ^ "Vinícius Júnior scored for the first time at CONMEBOL Copa América against Paraguay". copaamerica.com. 29 June 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ "Brazil boss slams 'very strange' Vinícius booking". ESPN.com. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ "Vini Jr. on Brazil Copa exit: 'It was my fault'". ESPN.com. 9 July 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
- ^ "International Champions Cup: Future stars of top Premier League, European clubs". ESPN FC. 19 July 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
- ^ Sean Drury (4 February 2019). "'I Don't Fear Anything': Vinicius Jr Lays Down the Gauntlet After Superb Display Against Alaves". 90min.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
- ^ Sam Tighe (24 March 2017). "Scouting Notebook: Brazilian Prodigy Vinicius Junior Flashing Ludicrous Talent". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
- ^ Anthony Lopopolo (27 December 2018). "10 youngsters to watch in 2019: Vinicius Junior headlines exciting group". The Score. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
- ^ Tom Findlay (26 February 2019). "The new Brazilians set to light up El Clasico". BeinSports. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
- ^ West, Andy (1 March 2019). "Vinicius Junior: Can Real Madrid teenager keep La Liga season alive?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
- ^ "Real Madrid: "Vinicius doesn't remind me of Robinho" – Valdano". AS.com. 11 February 2019. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
- ^ "Top 100 players 21 and under: Potential stars including Real Madrid winger Vinicius". MSN. 22 November 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
- ^ Relaño, Alfredo (27 February 2019). "Vinicius and Messi steal the limelight". AS.com. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
- ^ Virtudes Sánchez (1 August 2018). "Zico: Vinicius needs to improve his shooting". Marca. Spain. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
- ^ "Levante 1–2 Real Madrid: Report, Ratings & Reaction as Bale's Penalty Seals Win for Los Blancos". Sports Illustrated. 24 February 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ Forjanes, Carlos (8 November 2018). "Europe meets Vinicius – a star in the making". AS. Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
- ^ "Vinícius Junior turns playmaker to cue Real Madrid's win at Osasuna". TSN. 18 February 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ "Jornal põe Jesus, Gabigol e Vinicius Jr. em lista de melhores sub-21 do mundo". Globo Esporte (in Portuguese). 20 June 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
- ^ Calderón, José Luis (1 November 2018). "Vinicius is a genuine threat". Marca. Spain: Unidad Editorial. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
- ^ Lang, Jack; Corrigan, Dermot (28 May 2022). "The rise of Vinicius Junior and how Ancelotti brought his Real career to life". The Athletic. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ "Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior and Pedri lead LaLiga awards for 2021–22". ESPN. 25 May 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- ^ "Vinicius: I've improved, I'm doing things with more tranquillity and more quality". MARCA. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- ^ Kemble, Jamie (17 December 2021). "Vinicius details what he has improved most amid fine form". Football España. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- ^ "Have Real Madrid found the new Neymar in Vinicius?". MARCA. 22 September 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ Booth, Chuck (29 May 2022). "Neymar calls Vinicius Jr. the world's best player ahead of Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
- ^ Ed McCambridge Contributions from Mark White (11 March 2022). "Ranked! The 10 best left-wingers in the world right now". fourfourtwo.com. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
- ^ Bate, Adam (29 May 2024). "Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid success is triumph of man-management but a tactical idea, too, in its own way". Sky Sports. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
- ^ "Vinicius Júnior's frustration at his new role another dilemma for Real Madrid". ESPN.com. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
- ^ Grez, Matias (15 March 2023). "Vinícius Jr. is being racially abused during La Liga matches. Why is nobody being punished?". CNN. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- ^ "'La Liga belongs to racists' – Vinicius Jr". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
- ^ "Spain arrests four after effigy of Real Madrid's Vinicius hung". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ^ Sung, Matt Foster,Patrick (22 May 2023). "Vinícius Jr.: Real Madrid player persistently racially abused during Spanish La Liga match". CNN. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Official Announcement | Real Madrid CF". Real Madrid C.F. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
- ^ "Football must stop when there is racism". FIFA. Archived from the original on 27 March 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
- ^ "Vinicius to lead new anti-racism committee – FIFA". ESPN. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
- ^ "Racist abuse of Vinicius Jr highlights entrenched problem in soccer". USA Today. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ^ "Vinicius jr case opens wilder racism debate in spain". BBC News. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ^ "Brazilian president expresses his solidarity towards Vinicius jr". MARCA. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ^ "Brazil statue lights out to support Vinicius Jr racism claim". Al Jazeera. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ^ "A Country of Racists, Spanish Soccer Is Embroiled in Yet Another Racism Controversy". Time. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ^ "Disgusted by racism targeting Vinicius Jr, his Brazilian hometown rallies to defend him". CBC Sport. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ^ "Brazil threatens Spain over applying principle of extraterritoriality". MARCA. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ^ "Lewis Hamilton says racist abuse suffered by Vinicius jr evokes painful memories". MARCA. 26 May 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ^ "Kylian Mbappe, Neymar among others praises Vinicius jr". Goal. 22 May 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ^ "Brazil state approves new 'Vinicius Junior law' to combat racism at sporting events". ESPN. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ^ "Rio government names anti-racism law after Real Madrid and Brazil star Vinicius Jr". The Straits Times. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ^ "Vinicius Jr: Rio de Janeiro government names anti-racism law after Real Madrid forward". BBC News. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ^ "Bellingham wins Kopa Trophy and Vini Jr. scoops Socrates Award". Real Madrid CF. 30 October 2023. Archived from the original on 26 November 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
- ^ "Vinicius Jr vows to continue fight against racism as he wins Socrates Award". The Straits Times. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
- ^ "UNESCO: Vinicius Junior nommé ambassadeur de bonne volonté". La Presse (in Canadian French). 2 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
- ^ "Vinicius Jr., de son action en faveur des enfants au Prix Socrates". L'Équipe (in French). Archived from the original on 5 November 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
- ^ "Vinícius Junior named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador". UNESCO. 2 February 2024. Archived from the original on 6 February 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
- ^ "Real Madrid: Meet Vinicius in 44 responses: The 'dancinhas,' his idol Asensio, his desire..." MARCA in English. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ Lang, Jack. "In search of Vinicius Junior – the 22-year-old 'raising a flag for everyone'". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ Seixas, Josué (11 October 2021). "Vinicius Junior launches education app to help poor students in Brazil". The Guardian. London. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ "Home – Instituto Vini Jr" (in Brazilian Portuguese). 3 May 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ Vinícius Júnior at Soccerway. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
- ^ "Júnior, Vinícius". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
- ^ "Real Madrid win 2019/20 LaLiga Santander". LaLiga. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
- ^ Westwood, James (30 April 2022). "Real Madrid clinch 35th La Liga title with four games to spare after victory over Espanyol". Goal. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- ^ "Real Madrid crowned champions after Barca's defeat at Girona". BBC Sport. 4 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
- ^ "Real Madrid 2–1 Osasuna: Rodrygo scores twice as Madrid win Copa del Rey". BBC. 6 May 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
- ^ "Real Madrid win the Supercopa from the spot". Marca. Spain. 12 January 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
- ^ Mctear, Euan (16 January 2022). "Modric and Benzema fire Real Madrid to the Supercopa title". Marca. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
- ^ "El Real Madrid recupera su corona en la Supercopa (4–1)". Real Federación Española de Fútbol (in Spanish). 14 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Champions League final: Vinícius Júnior scores only goal as Real Madrid deny Liverpool again". UEFA. Union of European Football Associations. 28 May 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
- ^ "Real Madrid win Champions League: Carvajal and Vinícius Júnior see off Dortmund". UEFA. Union of European Football Associations. 1 June 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
- ^ Honeyman, Sam (10 August 2022). "Real Madrid 2–0 Eintracht Frankfurt: Five-star Madrid triumph in Helsinki". UEFA. Retrieved 11 August 2022.
- ^ Sutcliffe, Steven (14 August 2024). "Real Madrid 2–0 Atalanta". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ Rodríguez, José María (22 December 2018). "El Madrid agranda su leyenda" [Madrid enlargen their legend]. Marca (in Spanish). Spain. Archived from the original on 8 October 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
- ^ "Vinicius and Valverde dazzle as five-star Madrid conquer". FIFA. 11 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
- ^ "2015 South American U-15 Championship". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 15 June 2019.
- ^ "Brasil golea 5–0 a Chile y es campeón del Sudamericano Sub-17" (in Spanish). CONMEBOL. 20 March 2017.
- ^ "Seleção da Copinha tem Vinícius Júnior e 4 do Timão; Pedrinho é o melhor jogador". Globoesporte.com. 26 January 2017.
- ^ "Vini Jr. named LaLiga Santander Player of the Month for November". La Liga. 10 December 2021.
- ^ "Vini Jr named LALIGA EA SPORTS Player of the Month for March". La Liga. 29 March 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
- ^ "LaLiga Santader Team of the Season". EA. 19 May 2022. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
- ^ "Los Premios 'Team of the Season' de EA SPORTSTM y LaLiga revelan a los mejores 15 jugadores de la temporada" [The EA SPORTSTM and LaLiga 'Team of the Season' Awards reveal the best 15 players of the season]. LaLiga. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
- ^ "Los Premios 'Team Of The Season' de LALIGA y EA SPORTS desvelan los 15 mejores jugadores de la temporada" (in Spanish). LaLiga. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ "2021/22 UEFA Champions League Team of the Season". UEFA. 31 May 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
- ^ "2023/24 UEFA Champions League Team of the Season". UEFA. Union of European Football Associations. 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ "2021/22 UEFA Champions League Young Player of the Season". UEFA. 31 May 2022. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
- ^ "Vinícius Júnior named 2023/24 UEFA Champions League Player of the Season". UEFA. 3 June 2024. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ "The adidas awards ceremony | FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2022™". FIFA. 11 February 2023.
- ^ "Messi extends record as City stars dominate Men's World 11". FIFA. 15 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ Efe-Khaese, Desmond (24 November 2023). "Vinicius Junior is the winner of the 2023 Samba Gold Award". Sambafoot. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
External links
- Profile at the Real Madrid CF website
- Vinícius Júnior – UEFA competition record (archive)