Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior (born 12 July 2000), commonly known as Vinícius Júnior or Vini Jr. (Brazilian Portuguese: [viˈnisjuz ˈʒũɲoʁ]),[3] is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a winger for La Liga club Real Madrid and the Brazil national team. Considered one of the best players in the world, he is known for his speed, strong dribbling ability, and playmaking skills.[4][5][6][7][8]

Vinícius Júnior

Personal information
Full name
Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior[1]
Date of birth
12 July 2000 (age 23)[2]
Place of birth
São Gonçalo, Brazil[2]
Height
1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)[2]
Position(s)
Winger

Team information
Current team
Real Madrid
Number
7
Youth career
2005–2017
Flamengo
Senior career*
Years
Team
Apps
(Gls)
2017–2018
Flamengo
50
(11)
2018
Real Madrid B
5
(4)
2018–
Real Madrid
160
(38)
International career‡
2015–2016
Brazil U15
10
(7)
2016–2017
Brazil U17
19
(17)
2018–2019
Brazil U20
4
(0)
2019–
Brazil
26
(3)
Medal record
Representing Brazil
Copa América
Runner-up 2021 
South American U-15 Championship
Winner 2015 
South American U-17 Championship
Winner 2017 
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:06, 11 November 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 16:08, 17 November 2023 (UTC)
Born in São Gonçalo, Vinícius began his professional career at Flamengo, where he made his senior debut in 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 £38 million deal, which was a national record for an U-18 player.[9] The transfer was made effective after his 18th birthday, with Vinícius debuting for the club in 2018–19. By his fourth season, Vinícius had established himself as a prominent member in Real Madrid's squad, helping the club win the 2021–22 La Liga title[10] and scoring the winning goal in Real Madrid's 2022 UEFA Champions League final win.[11]

At his youth stage for Brazil, he was a key player in the victory at the 2015 South American U-15 Championship and 2017 South American U-17 Championship, finishing as leading goalscorer in the latter competition. He made his senior debut in 2021 and helped his nation to a runner-up finish at the 2021 Copa América and represented them at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.