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Vinicius-Junior

Early Years

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.

Club Career- Real Madrid

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

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.

2021–22: First-team breakthrough, second league title, UEFA Champions League winner

Vinícius Jr. in a trophy presentation ceremony at Virgin of Almudena in 2022.

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 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: FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball, Champions League semi-finals, and inheritance of No. 7 shirt

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.

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: Decisive La Liga contributions, injury recovery, contract extension and 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 1 June 2024, 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.

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

South American U-15 Championship: 2015
South American U-17 Championship: 2017
BRICS U-17 Football Cup: 2016

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

Vinicius is now the hottest candidate for the Ballon d'Or award

The Ballon d'Or ceremony is scheduled to take place in Paris on 28 October. Many predictors see Vinicius as one of the main contenders for the prestigious trophy. As Vinicius helped Real Madrid win the Champions League, La Liga and UEFA Super Cup in 2023, his youth and growth potential make him an ideal candidate to follow in the footsteps of the greats of world football.The Brazilian winger has confirmed his high-level performances on each game. His blistering dribbles, lightning speed, and effectiveness in front of goal make him one of the most spectacular players at the moment. And as a staunch opponent of racism, he has made a huge difference both on and off the pitch. As for whether she can win a Ballon d'Or, let's look forward to it together!