Vinicius Junior

Vinicius Paixao de Oliveira Junior

Vinícius Júnior is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays primarily as a left-sided winger for Real Madrid and represents Brazil at senior international level. He is noted for his role in Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League successes and for receiving major individual honours from UEFA and FIFA in 2024.

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About Vinicius Junior

Profile information current to 2026-08-20.

Brazil · Professional footballer, Forward, Left-sided winger

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Also known as: Vinícius Júnior, Vini Jr.
Known for: Club football; Brazil men's international football; UEFA Champions League
Country: Brazil

Professional footballer
Forward
Left-sided winger

At a glance

He joined Real Madrid in July 2018 after beginning his senior career with Flamengo.
He scored in Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League final victories in 2022 and 2024.
He was named the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League Player of the Season and The Best FIFA Men's Player for 2024.
He reached 50 senior appearances for Brazil on 13 June 2026 and scored in that match against Morocco.

Early career and move to Madrid

Born on 12 July 2000 in São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, Vinícius made his senior debut for Flamengo in 2017 at age 16. He signed for Real Madrid later that year and joined the Spanish club in July 2018.

Real Madrid and European competition

Vinícius established his principal club role with Real Madrid and scored in the club's UEFA Champions League final victories in 2022 and 2024. UEFA named him the competition's Player of the Season for 2023/24. In August 2026, Real Madrid announced that his contract had been extended through 30 June 2032.

Brazil career and individual recognition

He made his Brazil senior debut against Peru on 11 September 2019. The Brazilian Football Confederation recorded his 50th senior appearance on 13 June 2026, when he scored against Morocco. His individual recognition includes The Best FIFA Men's Player award for 2024.

Mestalla racism case

On 10 June 2024, three Valencia supporters were convicted in a case concerning racist insults directed at Vinícius during a match at Mestalla on 21 May 2023. LALIGA and the Associated Press described the outcome as the first conviction of its kind involving racist abuse in Spanish professional football; the evidence used for this profile does not provide a comprehensive account of other reported incidents or their procedural outcomes.

Timeline

2017 Made his senior debut for Flamengo at age 16.
2018-07 Joined Real Madrid after signing for the club in 2017.
2019-09-11 Made his Brazil senior debut against Peru in Los Angeles.
2022 Scored the winning goal in Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League final victory over Liverpool.
2024-06-03 Named UEFA Champions League Player of the Season for 2023/24.
2024-12-17 Won The Best FIFA Men's Player award for 2024.
2026-06-13 Reached 50 senior appearances for Brazil and scored against Morocco.
2026-08-06 Real Madrid announced a contract extension through 30 June 2032.

Additional verified details

Current context

Real Madrid announced that Vinícius was under contract with the club through 30 June 2032.
Real Madrid reported that, by its 6 August 2026 renewal announcement, Vinícius had made 375 appearances, scored 128 goals and won 14 titles for the club. Club-reported cumulative figures; they may have changed after the announcement date.
The Brazilian Football Confederation reported 50 Brazil senior appearances and 10 goals after the Morocco match. Observed count as of 13 June 2026, rather than a confirmed total as of 20 August 2026.
UEFA reported that Vinícius had scored 34 UEFA Champions League goals in 82 appearances, with Neymar the only Brazilian to have scored more in the competition at that time. UEFA-reported competition totals as of the publication date; they may have changed subsequently.

Biographical facts

He was born on 12 July 2000 in São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
He made his senior debut for Flamengo in 2017 at age 16, signed for Real Madrid later that year, and joined the Spanish club in July 2018.
He scored in Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League final victories in 2022 and 2024.
UEFA named him the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League Player of the Season.
FIFA named him The Best FIFA Men's Player for 2024.
On 10 June 2024, three Valencia supporters were convicted in a case concerning racist insults directed at Vinícius during a 21 May 2023 match at Mestalla. LALIGA and the Associated Press described the outcome as the first conviction of its kind involving racist abuse in Spanish professional football.

Connections

Affiliations

Affiliations associated with Vinicius Junior.

Real Madrid C.F. Forward 2018-07–present
Brazil men's senior national football team Senior international 2019-09-11–present
Clube de Regatas do Flamengo Senior player 2017–2018-07