Brazil has a rich footballing legacy, and Vinícius Júnior is more than ready to carry the torch. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico on the horizon, he’s expected to be one of the driving forces behind Brazil’s return to glory.
As the Seleção look to reclaim their place at the top of world football, here’s a closer look at how Vinícius Júnior is poised to lead the nation toward a historic sixth World Cup crown.
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- Full Name: Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior
- Date of Birth: July 12, 2000
- Place of Birth: São Gonçalo, Brazil
- Height: 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
- Position: Left Winger / Forward
- Preferred Foot: Right
Club Information:
Current Club:
- Real Madrid (LaLiga) – 2018–present
Previous Club:
Flamengo (Brazil’s Serie A) – 2017–2018
Vinícius’ standout stint at Flamengo earned him a move to Real Madrid in 2017 for a reported €45 million — one of the highest fees ever paid for a teenager at the time.
He officially joined Real Madrid in July 2018 and developed into one of the most dynamic wingers in the sport. With Los Blancos, he has won multiple LaLiga and Champions League titles, and scored in the 2022 and 2024 Champions League finals.
International Career:
National Team: Brazil
- Debut: September 10, 2019 vs Peru
- Caps: 41
- Goals: 7
- Milestone: Scored his first World Cup goal in the Round of 16 at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Vinícius Júnior has grown into one of Brazil’s most potent attacking weapons, as he represents the new generation of Seleção talent.
Although Brazil fell short in the 2022 World Cup, his standout performances hinted at bigger things to come.
Major Tournaments Played:
- FIFA World Cup – 2022
- Copa América: – 2021, 2024
- UEFA Champions League – 2021-22, 2023-24 (winner)
- FIFA Intercontinental Cup – 2024 (winner)
Player Data
Play Style: Pace, flair, dribbling, finishing, one-on-one threat, plays off-the-ground
Strength: Sharp finisher, explosively quick, long shots, passing
Weakness: Defense, discipline issues, aerial ability
Career Accomplishments:
Club Achievements with Real Madrid:
- 3× La Liga Champion (2020, 2022, 2024)
- 2× UEFA Champions League Winner (2022, 2024)
- 2× FIFA Club World Cup Winner
- Copa del Rey Winner (2023)
- Supercopa de España Winner (2020, 2022)
- FIFA FIFPRO Men’s World XI (2023, 2024)
- Ballon d’Or Runner-up (2024)
- Best FIFA Men’s Player (2024)
- UEFA Champions League Final MVP (2024)
Statistics:
Club Appearances and Statistics:
| Club | Seasons | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flamengo | 2017–2018 | 50 | 11 |
| Real Madrid | 2018–2025 | 206 | 61 |
| Total | – | 256 | 72 |
Country Appearances and Statistics:
| Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup | 4 | 1 |
| World Cup Qualifiers (CONMEBOL) | 6 | 1 |
| Copa América | 7 | 2 |
| International Friendlies | 24 | 3 |
| Total | 41 | 7 |
Fun Trivia:
- Vinícius runs the Instituto Vini Jr., an organization that promotes digital education and sports for underprivileged youth in Brazil.
- He starred in a Netflix documentary titled “Vini Jr.”, released in May 2025.
- The winger has been an outspoken voice against racism in football, especially following multiple incidents of racial abuse in LaLiga.
- Nicknamed “El Rayo” (“The Lightning”) by Madrid fans, he’s known for his blistering speed and dazzling dribbling.
- Vinícius is the youngest player to score in an El Clásico for Real Madrid, doing so at just 19 years and 230 days old.
