Vinicius Junior, whose full name is Vinicius José Paixão de Oliveira Junior, was born on July 12, 2000, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is a professional footballer known for playing as a forward and has earned the nickname “New Neymar” in Brazilian football.

Vinicius faced numerous challenges during his childhood, growing up in a poor area with low living standards. His family struggled to provide enough food for their children, making life extremely difficult.

His first experiences with football took place in São Gonçalo, a desolate area in the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro, known for its proximity to the polluted waters of Guanabara Bay. This area is primarily inhabited by the local underprivileged population.

At the age of 7, Vinicius was allowed by his family to start training in football and joined Flamengo’s futsal training class. After two years of futsal training, Vinicius displayed his football skills during a futsal session, catching the attention of coaches who saw his potential. Unfortunately, he was deemed too young at the time, so they asked him to return the following year.

However, Vinicius’ heart was set on pursuing a career in professional football rather than futsal. In August 2010, he passed Flamengo’s test and officially joined the team’s academy, marking the beginning of his journey to fulfill his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

Vinicius Junior’s football career and his aspiration to become the “New Neymar” were fueled by his passion for the sport and his Brazilian heritage. As a standout player, he quickly surpassed his peers while studying futsal at school. It didn’t take long for him to claim the number 10 jersey of the futsal academy.

Recognizing that pursuing a career in football was the path to fully develop his potential, Vinicius tried out and was accepted into Flamengo’s youth team. This period in Flamengo’s youth team was crucial for Vinicius, and regardless of his future accomplishments, those memories will always hold a special place in his heart. During this time, his poor family had to separate, with his father working multiple jobs to support him. Vinicius and his mother had to stay with relatives to facilitate his training.

From the start, everyone made an effort to provide the best conditions for Vinicius Junior’s training, and his exceptional progress became evident. At the age of 13, he was already playing for Flamengo’s U15 team and was highly regarded, eventually earning a call-up to the U15 Brazil national team.

Since joining the academy, Vinicius consistently showcased greater abilities than his peers, allowing the young talent born in 2000 to play with older age groups. This may have contributed to his rapid maturity.

The coaches in Flamengo’s youth team quickly recognized his potential but also ensured that Vinicius developed to the best of his abilities, shielding him from negative external factors that could impact his career.

On May 13, 2017, Vinicius Junior made his debut for Flamengo’s first team when he came on in the 82nd minute of the match against Atletico Mineiro. Two days later, Flamengo signed a new contract with Vinicius, including a release clause of up to 45 million euros, as part of a transfer negotiation plan for his move to Real Madrid the following year.

Vinicius Jυпior’s transfer to Real Madrid marked a significant milestone in his career. The agreement for his transfer was reached in 2017, but he was unable to complete the international transfer until he turned 18. The transfer fee for Vinicius was reported to be up to 46 million euros, making him the second most expensive Brazilian player after Neymar.

On July 20, 2018, Real Madrid officially presented Vinicius Jυпior as their new talent. He was assigned the number 2 jersey and became a member of the Spanish royal football team. It’s worth noting that other top clubs, such as Manchester United and Barcelona, also expressed interest in signing Vinicius. However, they were not willing to meet the contract break fee set by Flameпgo for such a young and inexperienced player.

Real Madrid saw great potential in Vinicius and was willing to invest in his talent. His debut for Real Madrid’s first team came on September 29, 2018, as a substitute in the 87th minute of a formal match, the Madrid derby against Atletico. This debut made him the first player born in 2000 to play for Real Madrid, setting a record.

Initially, Vinicius faced challenges in securing a regular place in the crowded Real Madrid lineup. The competitive environment of La Liga was tough for an 18-year-old player. As a result, he had to play for the reserves and youth teams to gain more opportunities for regular playtime.

However, starting from the 2019-2020 season, Vinicius Jυпior started playing more for Real Madrid’s first team. While initially playing the role of a quality substitute, he demonstrated his determination and continuous improvement. Gradually, he earned a starting position in the team and established himself as a key player who couldn’t be easily replaced. Vinicius Jυпior’s progress and contributions to Real Madrid showcased his immense potential and solidified his position as a rising star in the football world.