Vinicius Júnior

Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior (born 12 July 2000), commonly known as Vinícius Júnior or Vinícius Jr ([viˈnisjus ˈʒũɲoʁ]), is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Spanish club Real Madrid.

Born in the São Gonçalo, a city in the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro, Vinícius began his professional career at Flamengo, where he made his senior debut in May 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 for in a national record for an U-18 player, R$191 million (€45 million) deal, which was made effective after his 18th birthday.

Club career

Early career

Vinícius Junior's football career began in the year 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 family, Vinícius went to 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.

In 2009, when Vinícius was nine, he took a futsal trial for Flamengo. The club noted his potential, but given his young age, he was asked to come back the following year. However, he decided he wanted to play football, not futsal, and did not return. In August 2010, Vinícius passed his football tests at Flamengo.

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 2017, Vinícius scored his first Brazilian Série A goals for Flamengo, in a 2–0 win against Atlético Goianiense.

Real Madrid

On 23 May 2017, Spanish 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.

On 20 July 2018, Madrid officially presented Vinícius as a Real Madrid player. He was issued squad number 28. He made his debut on 29 September 2018, coming in as an 87th minute substitute in a goalless draw against Atlético Madrid, becoming the first-ever Madrid senior player to be born in 2000. Vinícius made his first start on 31 October in a 4–0 Copa del Rey away victory against Melilla, contributing with an assist 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 4 goals between his debut on 29 September 2018 and 7 February 2019.

International career

On 30 October 2015, Vinícius Júnior was called up for Brazil by coach Guilherme Dalla Déa for the South American U-15 Championship. Vinícius and Brazil won the under-15 title and he was the 2nd top-scorer of the tournament with 6 goals.

On 24 June 2016, Vinícius was called up for a friendly against Chile 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 Júnior) eventually would finish third.

After leading Brazil to win the South American U-17 Championship, Vinícius Júnior was named the tournament's best player and was top goal-scorer with 7 goals.

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 2019, he was excluded from Brazil's final 23-man squad for the 2019 Copa América by manager Tite. He finally made his senior international debut on 10 September 2019, as a 72nd-minute substitute in Brazil's 1–0 defeat to Peru.

Style of play

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 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 diminutive, dynamic, intelligent, hard-working, and nimble winger, with a low centre of gravity, as well as impressive passing and awareness. Moreoever, he is known in for his eye for the final ball, and ability to provide assists to teammates; although he is also capable of scoring goals himself, his shooting and goalscoring have been cited by pundits as areas in need of improvement. 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".

Career statistics

Club

As of 6 February 2020

International

As of 11 September 2019

Honours

Real Madrid

• Supercopa de España: 2019–20
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2018

Brazil U15

• South American U-15 Championship: 2015

Brazil U17

• South American U-17 Championship: 2017

Individual

• Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior Best Left-Winger: 2017
• South American U-17 Championship Best Player: 2017
• South American U-17 Championship top scorer: 2017