Licensed photo · Unknown author (as listed on Wikimedia Commons); uploaded by Rekia69005; Unknown author via Wikimedia Commons; CC0 1.0.; file: Vinícius Júnior in Real Madrid shirt, 2024 season; file page: Vinícius Júnior in Real Madrid shirt, 2024 season; license: CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication; no endorsement; factual editorial use only Verified 22 Oct 2026
Football · Left-wing forward
Vinícius Júnior
Brazilian left-wing forward Vinícius Júnior combines explosive dribbling with a record of decisive Real Madrid performances and public education work.
BrazilianBorn 12 July 2000
Current statusReal Madrid forward; 2026/27 campaign in progress as of 2026-10-22.
The verified profile
Vinícius Júnior is a Brazilian left-wing forward for Real Madrid. Born in São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, he developed at Flamengo, made his senior debut in 2017 and joined Real Madrid in 2018. Britannica describes his speed and dribbling as defining traits; he scored in the 2022 and 2024 UEFA Champions League finals, and UEFA named him 2023/24 Champions League Player of the Season. Explore the Football desk and Cristiano Ronaldo's player profile for related coverage.
Factual references: Sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7How to read the player
This draft keeps current 2026/27 club figures separate from the dated 2023/24 Champions League line. Its business section distinguishes a reported Nike endorsement from the Vini Jr. Institute, an education initiative, and makes no unsupported ownership, salary or net-worth claim.
Original analysis by SportsHub4U FootballCareer, life and public work
Every section and number below is tied to the named source ledger. Sport-specific statistics retain their stated scope and verification date.
Appearances
Official club page's global 2026/27 line; accessed 2026-10-22.
Goals
Official club page's global 2026/27 line; accessed 2026-10-22.
Assists
Official club page's global 2026/27 line; accessed 2026-10-22.
Minutes
Official club page's global 2026/27 line; accessed 2026-10-22.
Matches played
UEFA competition page; this is a competition-specific line, not a career total.
Minutes played
UEFA competition page; this is a competition-specific line, not a career total.
Goals
UEFA competition page; this is a competition-specific line, not a career total.
Appearances / minutes
UEFA's season report.
Goals / assists
UEFA's season report; separate from 2026/27 figures.
Background
Vinícius Júnior was born on 12 July 2000 in São Gonçalo, in Rio de Janeiro state. Britannica traces his early football development through futsal and Flamengo's youth system. He signed his first professional Flamengo contract at 16 and entered senior football in 2017.
From Flamengo to Real Madrid
Flamengo was the bridge to Europe. Britannica records seven goals in 37 Flamengo appearances before the move; Real Madrid lists his first-team career from 2018 onward. That chronology is kept separate from the current-season figures below.
Club career and records
His most visible record moments came in the UEFA Champions League: a winning goal in the 2021/22 final and another final goal in 2023/24. UEFA then named him 2023/24 Player of the Season after 10 appearances, 901 minutes, six goals and five assists in that edition. See the Kylian Mbappé player profile for another Real Madrid-focused player dossier.
Playing style
He is used as a left-wing forward. Britannica identifies exceptional speed and dribbling as the traits that define his attacking profile; the official Real Madrid listing places him among the first-team forwards.
Education, advocacy and commercial work
The Vini Jr. Institute is an education initiative, not a football-club ownership claim: its official site says it works with public schools using education as a base, technology and body movement as tools, and football as a language. Separately, ESPN reported in 2023 that Nike had sponsored him since age 13 and that representatives were negotiating a new agreement. That is documented endorsement history, not proof of equity or ownership.
Public pressure and response
Britannica records his public anti-racism advocacy alongside his on-field achievements. This profile keeps that documented public work separate from private-life speculation and does not repeat unverified health, family, residence or financial claims.
Career timeline
Selected verified milestones
- Joined Flamengo's youth system
After early futsal training, he entered Flamengo's youth football pathway.
Encyclopaedia Britannica - Flamengo senior debut
He made his professional debut for Flamengo in the Brazilian Championship.
Encyclopaedia Britannica - Moved to Real Madrid
Real Madrid lists his first-team career from 2018; Britannica records his September 2018 debut.
Real Madrid C.F. - Founded the Vini Jr. Institute
The initiative uses education, technology, football and movement to support Brazilian public schools.
Encyclopaedia Britannica - Decisive Champions League final goal
He scored the winner for Real Madrid against Liverpool in the 2021/22 final.
Encyclopaedia Britannica - Champions League Player of the Season
UEFA awarded him the 2023/24 competition's top individual honour.
UEFA
Achievement index
Source-linked reference points
2023/24 UEFA Champions League Player of the Season
UEFA's Technical Observer panel selected him after a six-goal, five-assist Champions League campaign.
2021/22 UEFA Champions League winner
He scored Real Madrid's winning goal in the final against Liverpool.
2023/24 UEFA Champions League winner
He scored in Real Madrid's final victory against Borussia Dortmund.
2023 Socrates Award
UNESCO's profile records the award for footballers active in educational or social causes.
2024 FIFA The Best Men's Player
Britannica reports that he won FIFA Men's Player of the Year in December 2024.
Real Madrid honours
Real Madrid's official profile lists two European Cups, three national leagues, one Spanish Cup and related club honours.
Sources and method
What supports this profile
SportsHub4U writes verified facts in original language and links to the source pages used. Each link records the evidence reviewed for this dossier.
- 01Real Madrid C.F.
Vini Jr. | Official Website | Real Madrid C.F.
Accessed 2026-10-22 - 02UEFA
Vinícius Júnior 2026/27
Accessed 2026-10-22 - 03UEFA
Vinícius Júnior named 2023/24 UEFA Champions League Player of the Season
Accessed 2026-10-22 - 04Encyclopaedia Britannica
Vinícius Júnior
Accessed 2026-10-22 - 05Vini Jr. Institute
Instituto Vini Jr | Home
Accessed 2026-10-22 - 06ESPN
Real Madrid's Vinícius Junior nears new Nike deal - sources
Accessed 2026-10-22 - 07Wikimedia Commons
File: Vinícius Júnior - Real Madrid CF (2024-25).jpg
Accessed 2026-10-22