It is Vinicius Junior on track to win football’s greatest individual award: the Ballon d’Or. A just reward from France Football for the best player in the world, at least in the year 2024. However, although prestigious, this award is always the result of hard work on the part of the footballer, coupled with exceptional talent. The example of Vinicius is the most remarkable: nothing has been easy for the native of the suburbs of Riofrom complicated beginnings in Europe through mockery, until his arrival at the top of world football. A look back at the more than inspiring journey of Vinicius Junior.
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Vinicius Junior’s youth in Brazil
Vinicius Junior was born and raised in the Rio de Janeiro suburb of Muta, Rio State. His mother is Tatiana and his father Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira. He resided with his grandmother due to financial problems. From a young age, he stood out as a talented boy in the eyes of the opponents and teammates he encountered during matches in the streets of São Gonçalo (a suburb of Rio de Janeiro). Just like the Brazilian stars who preceded him, he is the one who stands out from the crowd. He began playing as a left-back, then became a left winger. when he transferred from Canto do Rio, where he played futsal, to Flamengo’s junior team in 2010, when he was 10 years old.
In Flamengo’s youth teams or with the selection, he quickly stood out as a rising star. His remarkable performances in tournaments across Brazil earned him the interest of Europe’s biggest clubs, such as Real Madrid and FC Barcelonawho regularly send recruiters to monitor his progress. On May 9, 2017, At the age of 16, Vinicius Junior signed his first professional contract with CR Flamengo. He made his debut for CR Flamengo on May 13, 2017, against Atlético Mineiro at the Maracanã stadium. At the end of the meeting, Robinho comes to see him and asks him for his jerseya dream for the young Brazilian as he has admired Robinho since childhood. He quickly rose through the ranks and became an important part of the club until his departure for the Old Continent.
A signing for Real Madrid but difficult first seasons for the future Brazilian star
Vinicius Junior chooses the Spanish capital and the prestigious club Real Madrid to write a new page in his young career. He signed there in 2017 for 45 million eurosbut will officially join the Merengue club during the 2018 offseason. This transfer arouses criticism: the high price for a young player who has not yet proven anything at the high level in Europe (several international media describe the player as “the most expensive promise in the history of football”) perplexes a good part of the football world, and rightly so… at least at the beginning. Vinicius starts with Castilla, Real Madrid’s reserve team, then he made his debut with the first team on September 29, 2018 against Atlético Madridreplacing Karim Benzema.
After a timid first season, marked by an injury and a catastrophic season for Real Madrid, the second was a little more encouraging: he became the youngest scorer in the history of the Clásico at 19 years and 233 days, breaking the record for a certain Lionel Messi, and is crowned with a title of champion of Spain. Despite everything, his statistical output remains low, and his finishing does not yet reach the level expected of a Real Madrid striker. Nevertheless, thanks to his potential and his self-sacrifice, he retains the confidence of his coach Zinedine Zidane and his president Florentino Pérez, who allow him to continue a third season with the club.
During this season, he participated in more matches, whether in La Liga or the Champions League, but he continues to struggle to be decisive, and remains the target of constant criticism from the Spanish press and supporters. On April 6, 2021, he ensures Real Madrid’s victory in the quarter-final first leg of the Champions League against Liverpool (3-1) thanks to a double. A great performance, unusual for the young Brazilian, which earned him the praise of specialists. “There is a Vinicius before and after Liverpool”comments former Madrid star Hugo Sánchez after the match.
The Madrid phenomenon finally explodes
Hugo Sánchez was right: 2021-2022 is the turning point season for Vinicius Junior, who becomes a transformed player. He is now an indisputable starter at Real Madrid, forming a powerful duo with Karim Benzemaand had a remarkable season. The former Flamengo player displays the best performances of all Brazilian players playing in Europe: records for goals, assists, dribbling and even penalties. Real Madrid wins its 14th Champions League and is also crowned champion of Spain. In the final, Madrid won against Liverpool thanks to a goal from their Brazilian protégéthus concluding in style a magnificent journey. The following season was just as successful on an individual level, although it was only punctuated by a victory in the Spanish Cup, where he achieved a grand final against CA Osasuna, with two assists for his teammate Rodrygo.
But the best season of Vinicius Junior’s career, both on a collective and individual level, is certainly the one which ended on June 1, 2024, at Wembley, during the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund. Now considered the best player in the world, he scores another goal in the finalserved by the other Madrid star, Jude Bellingham. Together they also won La Liga. On September 28, his coach Carlo Ancelotti declares that Vinicius must be the 2024 Ballon d’Or, an award of which he is the ultimate favorite. The Madrid number 7 scored 24 goals in 38 matches and in the Champions League he was voted best player with 6 goals and 5 assists. It is therefore entirely logical that he is more than ever at the head of the race for the ultimate grail, on October 28.
Vinicius Junior’s salary
Vinicius Junior extended his contract in the Spanish capital on October 31, 2023 until 2027. He receives a fixed salary of €20,830,000 and €4,170,000 in bonuses, i.e. €25,000,000 annually depending on the site Capologywhich places him behind Kylian Mbappé and his €71,670,000 annually in the club’s salary hierarchy (at least for 2024-2025).
Vinicius Junior: a committed footballer off the field
It is important to emphasize that in addition to his impact on the pitch, Vinicius is also involved off it. In 2021, he created the Instituto Vini Jr., to provide young Brazilians from disadvantaged backgrounds with better educational opportunities. His commitments have earned him numerous recognitions, including the Socrates Prize in 2023, and, more recently, the title of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education for All in 2024. He thus joins a prestigious list, becoming the second footballer, after Pelé, to receive this honour.
He is also active in the fight against racismof which he is often the victim in different Spanish stadiums. He is greatly supported in this fight and hopes for great progress.
Is there an example as fair as that of Vinicius Junior to illustrate how far self-sacrifice, rigor and work can lead? In the world of football, probably not. Yet, the Brazilian star returns from the abyss to rub shoulders with the elite of world footballwith a probable Ballon d’Or on October 28 in Paris. However, there are still areas for improvement, although he is young and still has a future ahead of him, such as his performance in the Brazilian selection, which is out of step with his club performances (5 goals in 35 caps), or even his behavior on the pitch, which can annoy players and supporters. From now on, the rest is focused on the long road that he still has to travel, because the most complicated thing is not to reach the high level, but to stay there.
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