Vinicius Junior is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team. Born on July 12, 2000, in Sao Goncalo, Brazil, Vinicius Junior began his football career at the age of seven, playing for the youth academy of Flamengo, one of Brazil's most popular football clubs. He quickly rose through the ranks and made his professional debut for Flamengo in May 2017, at the age of 16.
In 2018, Vinicius Junior signed with Real Madrid for a transfer fee of €46 million, making him one of the most expensive teenage footballers in history. He made his debut for Real Madrid in September 2018 and has since become a regular member of the team, helping them win the La Liga title in the 2019-2020 season.
Vinicius Junior has been in the news recently due to incidents of racist abuse he has suffered during matches in Spain. In February 2021, he was subjected to racist abuse by fans during a match against Valencia, which led to several arrests and a partial stadium ban for Valencia. In March 2021, he was again subjected to racist abuse during a match against Real Betis, leading to La Liga filing a criminal complaint against the fans responsible. These incidents have sparked public debate about racism in Spanish football and the need for stronger measures to combat it.
Racist abuse of players is getting worse, says Stephens
Racist behaviour directed at athletes is getting worse and even software designed to protect them from it has little impact, world number 30 Sloane Stephens said on Monday.
Benzema scores on farewell but Real held at home by Bilbao
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema netted a penalty in his final LaLiga game at the Bernabeu but was unable to inspire them to victory as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Valencia's stadium partially closed and fined for racist abuse of Vinicius Junior
Valencia's stadium has been partially closed and fined for racist abuse of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior by fans.
Real Madrid player Vinicius Jr. subjected to racist abuse during La Liga game
Real Madrid player Vinicius Jr. was subjected to racist abuse during a La Liga game against Valencia on Sunday.
La Liga president apologises for comments on racism in Spanish football
Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga, has apologised for his comments on Twitter in which he suggested that Real Madrid player Vinicius Jr. find out more about what the league is doing to combat racism before criticising it. Tebas has since acknowledged mistakes in not instigating change earlier and has spoken of plans to increase powers against racist offenders. He has also said that La Liga should consider docking points from clubs whose fans engage in racist behaviour.
Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr subjected to racist abuse in Spain
Real Madrid's Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr has been subjected to racist abuse during a match against Valencia, leading to several arrests and a partial stadium ban for Valencia. The incident has sparked public debate about racism in Spanish football, with players at grassroots clubs acknowledging that racism is a problem in their everyday lives as well as in sports. La Liga president Javier Tebas claims that with the correct legal framework he can eradicate racism in Spanish football within six months, but Vinicius Jr has said that Spain is known as a country of racists in Brazil.
Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr subjected to racist abuse during match
Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr was subjected to racist abuse during a match against Valencia on Sunday.
Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro goes dark in support of Vinicius Jr after racist abuse
The Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro was turned off for an hour on Monday night in support of Brazilian footballer Vinicius Jr, who was racially abused during a match in Spain.
Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr subjected to racist abuse in La Liga
Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr has been subjected to racist abuse from fans in La Liga.
Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr subjected to racist abuse in Spain
Brazilian footballer Vinicius Jr was subjected to racist abuse during a match between Real Madrid and Valencia in Spain.
Manchester City and Real Madrid draw 1-1 in Champions League semi-final first leg
Manchester City and Real Madrid played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Bernabeu. Vinicius Junior opened the scoring for Real Madrid with a stunning strike, but Kevin De Bruyne equalised for Manchester City with a powerful shot from distance. The tie is finely poised ahead of the second leg at the Etihad Stadium next week.
Real Madrid and Manchester City draw 1-1 in Champions League semi-final
Real Madrid and Manchester City played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Bernabeu. Vinicius Junior opened the scoring for Real Madrid with a stunning strike, before Gabriel Jesus equalised for Manchester City. Luka Modric returned from injury to feature as a substitute for Real Madrid.
Manchester City and Real Madrid draw 1-1 in Champions League semi-final
Manchester City and Real Madrid fought out a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at the Bernabeu Stadium on Tuesday.
Liverpool knocked out of Champions League by Real Madrid
Liverpool fail to overcome their first-leg Anfield demolition and are knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid.
Real Madrid beat Espanyol 3-1 ahead of crucial week
Real Madrid secured a 3-1 victory over Espanyol at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, ahead of a crucial week in which they face Liverpool and Barcelona.
Spanish league files complaint over racial insults against Vinícius Júnior
The Spanish league has filed a complaint after Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior was racially abused during a match against Real Betis.
Real Madrid thrash Liverpool 5-2 in Champions League
Liverpool suffer their worst ever European home defeat as Real Madrid produce a stunning comeback from two goals down to earn a devastating 5-2 victory at Anfield in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior subjected to racist abuse in Spanish football
Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinícius Júnior has been subjected to racist abuse by fans on multiple occasions in Spain.
Real Madrid wins Club World Cup for record-extending fifth time
Real Madrid beat Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal 5-3 in the Club World Cup final, with doubles from Federico Valverde and Vinícius Júnior and a goal by Karim Benzema.
Real Madrid lose to Mallorca as Barcelona extend lead in La Liga
Real Madrid lost 1-0 to Mallorca while Barcelona extended their lead to eight points with a 3-0 win over Sevilla.
Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr targeted by racist effigy
An effigy of Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr was hung from a bridge in Madrid by Atletico Madrid fans ahead of the Copa del Rey quarter-final match between the two teams.
La Liga files criminal complaints against Valladolid fans for racist abuse against Vinicius Junior
La Liga has filed criminal complaints against Valladolid fans who aimed racist insults against Real Madrid player Vinicius Junior during their match on Friday.
Brazil's World Cup goal celebrations spark controversy
Brazil's exuberant goal celebrations during their World Cup match against South Korea have sparked controversy and divided opinion.
Neymar returns from injury to help Brazil beat South Korea
Neymar returned from injury to score a penalty in Brazil's 4-1 win over South Korea in the World Cup round of 16.
Bruno Fernandes leads Portugal to victory over Uruguay
Portugal secured a place in the last 16 of the World Cup with a 2-0 win over Uruguay, thanks to two goals from Bruno Fernandes.