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Vinicius Jr in a post-match interview by Real Madrid –

Top 9 Outstanding Facts about Vinicius Junior

In European and world football, Vinicius Junior is currently one of the most exciting young prospects there is. As far as player potential ceilings go, Vini’s is up there, especially after an astonishing 2021/22 campaign.

Vinicius is a Brazilian professional football player currently playing as a winger for Real Madrid. Born on 12th July 2000, his full name is Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior. However, He is commonly referred to as Vinicius Júnior or Vini Jr.

At just 22 years of age (as of 2022), Vini is already a superstar thanks to his explosive style and immense skill. He is referred to as ‘‘Baby Galactico’ by some especially Los Blancos fans. Below are some interesting facts about Vini Jr.

1. Started Football at Age 6

Vini was born on 12th July 2000 in São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro located near the polluted waters of Guanabara Bay. Vini like many other Brazilian kids loved and was obsessed with football.

His football journey started early on in 2006 at age 6. This was after his father took him to Flamengo’s branch offices in the neighborhood of Mutua near where he lived. Afterward, Vini joined Flamengo and this was just the beginning of his footballing journey.

2. Rejected from Futsal

Brazilian national futsal team in a friendly by Alex Pereira –

As he shows today, Vini is a skilled footballer with great flair and skill. This is not something he has learned recently but purely talent.

After joining Flamengo, he took futsal classes at Flamengo’s school in São Gonçalo at the Canto do Rio. Futsal is similar to five-aside and indoor soccer and requires great close ball control and skill.

From 2007 to 2010, Vini was focused mostly on futsal and in 2009 he had the chance to try out for Flamengo’s futsal team. Despite his potential, the club rejected him due to his age but asked him to return for the following year’s trials.

However, Vini never returned and instead opted to focus on football and instead passed his football test the following year (2010).

3. Started as A Left Back

 After joining Flamengo, Vini was identified as a Left back according to his documentation at the club. In football, players switch positions often, either at a young age after their strengths and weaknesses are identified or to fit a manager’s style of play.

For Vini, it was his assessment that led to a change in positions. He had blistering pace and was clinical in front of goal. This meant that his attacking output was better than his defensive and therefore he was moved to left winger where he plays to date.

4. Made his Debut for Flamengo in 2017

Vinicius celebrating a goal for Flamengo in 2018 by ANDES News Agency –

Vini rose smoothly through the ranks at Flamengo over the years. He was attracting attention from Europe. Therefore, Flamengo put a €30 million buyout clause in his contract before he made his debut for the club.

On 13th May 2017 Vini made his debut for his childhood club in a 1-1 draw vs. Atletico Mineiro. 2 days after his debut he extended his contract to 2022. The extension increased his salary and his buyout rose to €45 million.

The contract renewal was allegedly part of his transfer process to Madrid with a deal being signed with Real days later.

5. Sold for The Highest Fee for A U-19 Player

On 23rd May 2017 (10 days after signing a new contract) Real Madrid signed a fee to acquire Vini. The deal was signed in May 2017 but the purchase would be official on Vini’s 18th birthday on 12th July 2018. That is because age 18 is the minimum age for international transfer.

The sale was worth €46 million, the second-highest fee for a player from the Brazilian league after Neymar’s sale to Barcelona. The fee was also 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.

6. Made His Debut in 2018

Having signed a pre-contract with Real Madrid in 2017, Vini joined Real Madrid after his birthday. On 20th July 2018, he was officially presented as a Real Madrid player and issued the number 28.

On 29th September 2018, he made his debut against city rivals Atletico Madrid in a 0-0 draw. He scored his first goal for the club against Real Valladolid on November 3rd in a 2-0 win.

The season, labeled as the worst in Real’s recent history ended just as miserably for Vini. He tore a ligament during a loss to Ajax, which ended his season.

7. Broke Through in the 2021/22 Season

Vinicius Jr in action for Real Madrid against Juventus by All-Pro Reels –

Vini’s first two seasons at Madrid were hot and cold. There was no doubt he was talented but fans questioned his decision-making and finishing in front of goal. This led to some questioning how the club paid €46 million for him.

However, the 2021/22 season was one to remember for both Vini and his doubters. He was arguably Madrid’s best player of the season, second only to future Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema.

Vini put in master-class performances match after match. His finishing improved and every decision he made paid off. He ended the season as Madrid’s second-best goal scorer with 22 goals in all competitions.

He also won the La Liga title and the coveted ‘big ears’, the Champions league title. Vini was also named the inaugural Champions League young player of the season by UEFA.

8. Headed to Qatar 2022

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid with Brazil Under 20s in 2018 by Real Madrid –

Vini was called up to Brazil’s national team for the first team in February 2019. However, he was injured and could not make his international debut then.

He would make his senior debut for Brazil on 10th September 2019 as a substitute in a 1-0 loss to Peru. On 24 March 2022, Vinícius scored his debut goal for the national team. It was in a 4–0 home win over Chile in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match

On 7th November, Vini was named in Tite’s 26-man squad for the Qatar 2022 World Cup. He will be joining Neymar and his Real Madrid teammate, Rodrigo, as they try to bring glory to the Selecao after horrendous outings in previous tournaments.

9. Youngest Foreign Player to Score in El Classico

The El Classico is arguably the biggest game of football (soccer) in Spain if not Europe and the world. It has a history, carrying years of rivalry between two Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Vini Jr.’s strike helped Madrid win 2-0 at El Classico at the Santiago Bernabéu during his second season in Madrid (2019/20. With that goal, he broke Messi’s previous record for the earliest foreigner to score in El Classico history. He did so at the age of just 19 years and 230 days while Messi was 19 years and 259 days.