Career Timeline of Vinícius Júnior: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Vinícius Júnior, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Vinícius Júnior, also known as Vini Jr., is a Brazilian professional footballer renowned for his skills as a forward. He currently plays for Real Madrid in La Liga and the Brazil national team. Widely regarded as one of the world's best players, Vinícius Júnior is celebrated for his exceptional pace, impressive technique, and remarkable dribbling abilities on the field, making him a key player for both club and country.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2006: Beginning at Flamengo

In 2006, Vinícius Júnior's footballing career began when his father took him to the branch offices of Flamengo.

2009: Futsal Trial for Flamengo

In 2009, when Vinícius Júnior was nine, he took a futsal trial for Flamengo and was asked to return the following year.

August 2010: Joins Flamengo Youth Team

In August 2010, Vinícius Júnior had a trial to play for the Flamengo youth team, and he accepted an invitation to play for their football team.

October 2015: Called Up for Brazil

In October 2015, Vinícius was called up for Brazil by coach Guilherme Dalla Déa for the South American U-15 Championship. Vinícius and Brazil won the U-15 title and he was the 2nd top-scorer of the tournament with seven goals.

2015: Victory at South American U-15 Championship

In 2015, Vinícius Júnior was a key player in Brazil's victory at the South American U-15 Championship.

June 2016: Friendly Against Chile

On 24 June 2016, Vinícius was called up for a friendly against Chile U-17 and scored two goals and provided two assists in the 4–2 victory.

March 2017: Debut in South American U-17 Championship

In March 2017, Vinícius Júnior debuted for Brazil in the South American U-17 Championship, scoring a goal in a 3–0 victory over Peru. He was later named the tournament's best player and top goal-scorer after leading Brazil to win the championship.

May 2017: Debut for Flamengo

On May 2017, Vinícius Júnior debuted for Flamengo as a substitute in a Brazilian Série A match against Atlético Mineiro.

May 2017: Contract with Real Madrid

On May 23, 2017, Real Madrid signed a contract to acquire Vinícius Júnior, effective after his 18th birthday on July 12, 2018, for a reported fee of €46 million.

August 2017: First Professional Goal and Série A Goals

In August 2017, Vinícius Júnior scored his first professional goal in a Copa Sudamericana match against Palestino and his first Brazilian Série A goals for Flamengo in a match against Atlético Goianiense.

2017: Senior Debut for Flamengo

In 2017, Vinícius Júnior made his senior debut for Flamengo at the age of 16, marking the beginning of his professional career.

2017: Victory at South American U-17 Championship

In 2017, Vinícius Júnior was a key player in Brazil's victory at the South American U-17 Championship, finishing as the leading goalscorer.

July 2018: Effective Transfer to Real Madrid

In July 2018, Vinícius Júnior's transfer to Real Madrid became effective after his 18th birthday, as per the contract signed in May 2017.

July 2018: Agreement to sell to Real Madrid

In July 2018, it was agreed between Flamengo and Real Madrid to sell the young player.

July 2018: Official Presentation as Real Madrid Player

On July 20, 2018, Vinícius Júnior was officially presented as a Real Madrid player and was issued squad number 28.

2018: Real Madrid Debut

In 2018, after being signed for £38 million, Vinícius Júnior debuted for Real Madrid after turning 18, beginning his career with the club.

February 2019: First call-up to Brazil national team

In February 2019, Vinícius Júnior received his first call-up to the Brazil national team for friendlies against Panama and the Czech Republic; however, an injury while playing for Real Madrid led to him being replaced by David Neres.

December 2019: First UEFA Champions League Goal

On December 11, 2019, Vinícius Júnior scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in a 3–1 away win over Club Brugge.

2019: Extended Contract with Flamengo

In May 2017, Vinícius Júnior extended his contract with Flamengo until 2022, with a significant salary increase and a buyout clause increase. The contract was to expire in 2019.

March 2020: Goal in El Clásico

On March 1, 2020, Vinícius Júnior scored the first goal in a 2–0 win for Real Madrid in El Clásico against Barcelona.

2020: Champions League Quarter-Finals

In April 2021, Vinícius Júnior scored two goals in a 3–1 win against Liverpool in the first leg of the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

2020: Exceeding Goal Total

On 30 October 2021, Vinícius surpassed his total output of six goals in all competitions during the 2020–21 season in just 14 matches.

April 2021: Two Goals Against Liverpool

On April 6, 2021, Vinícius Júnior scored two goals in a 3–1 win against Liverpool in the first leg of the 2020–21 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

June 2021: Named in Brazil's Copa América squad

In June 2021, Vinícius was named in Brazil's 2021 Copa América squad.

December 2021: Vinícius comments on improved calmness and quality

In December 2021, Vinícius commented on his improved calmness and quality in his play, contributing to a breakthrough season with Real Madrid.

2021: Founds Instituto Vini Jr.

In 2021, Vinícius Júnior founded the Instituto Vini Jr., aimed at improving access to education for Brazilian children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

2021: Senior Debut for Brazil and Copa América Runner-Up

In 2021, Vinícius Júnior made his senior debut for Brazil and helped his nation to a runner-up finish at the Copa América.

2021: Real Madrid Goal

Vinícius Júnior started the 2021–22 season by scoring Real Madrid's fourth goal in a 4–1 away victory over Alavés on the opening day of the La Liga campaign.

2021: Second Best Goalscorer

Vinícius ended the 2021–22 season as Real Madrid's second-best goalscorer with 22 goals in all competitions, earning him recognition as the Champions League young player of the season.

March 2022: Scores Debut Goal for Brazil

On 24 March 2022, Vinícius scored his first goal for the Brazil national team in a 4–0 victory against Chile.

May 2022: First Hat-Trick for Real Madrid

On May 12, 2022, Vinícius Júnior scored his first hat-trick for Real Madrid in a 6–0 victory over Levante.

November 2022: Named in Brazil's 2022 FIFA World Cup squad

In November 2022, Vinícius was selected to be part of the Brazil squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

2022: Breakthrough season with Real Madrid

During the 2021–22 season, Vinícius had a breakthrough season with Real Madrid, increasing his goal scoring and assist output, which led to Neymar describing Vinícius as "the best player in the world".

2022: La Liga–Champions League Double

In 2022, Vinícius Júnior helped Real Madrid win the La Liga–Champions League double, scoring the winning goal in the Champions League final.

2022: FIFA World Cup Appearance

In 2022, Vinícius Júnior represented Brazil at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, marking his participation in the prestigious international tournament.

2022: Contract End Date

In May 2017, Vinícius Júnior extended his contract with Flamengo until 2022. The contract was extended in 2017.

2022: FIFA Club World Cup Final

On 11 February 2023, Real Madrid defeated Al-Hilal 5–3 in the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup final as Vinícius scored a brace to claim the tournament's best player award and his second Club World Cup title.

February 2023: Powering Real Madrid's Victory

On 21 February 2023, Vinícius scored two first-half goals to power Real Madrid's 5–2 comeback win at Anfield against Liverpool.

May 2023: Scoring a Remarkable Goal

On 9 May 2023, Vinícius made a significant contribution to Real Madrid's performance in the first leg of the semi-final against Manchester City, scoring a remarkable long-range goal in the 36th minute, the match ultimately ended in a 1–1 draw.

June 2023: Selected to lead FIFA anti-racism committee

In June 2023, Vinícius was selected by FIFA president Gianni Infantino to lead a special FIFA anti-racism committee composed of players.

August 2023: Goal Against Almería and Injury Against Celta

In August 2023, Vinícius scored the decisive goal in a La Liga match against Almería. Later in August 2023, he sustained an injury to his right biceps femoris muscle during a league match against Celta.

September 2023: Return to Play After Injury

On September 27, 2023, Vinícius made his return to play in a league fixture against Las Palmas after recovering from his injury.

October 2023: Contract Extension with Real Madrid

On October 31, 2023, Real Madrid announced that they had extended Vinícius' contract until June 30, 2027.

2023: Used in a free role as a left-sided forward

During the 2023–24 season, Vinícius was used in a free role as a left-sided forward or striker in a 4–3–1–2 formation by manager Carlo Ancelotti, allowing him to move out wide or switch positions.

2023: Sporting the Iconic No. 7 Jersey

In 2023, Real Madrid confirmed that Vinícius would be sporting the club's iconic No. 7 jersey from 2023–24 season onwards.

2023: FIFPRO World XI Inclusion

In 2023, Vinícius Júnior was included in the FIFPRO World XI, acknowledging his performance and contribution to football.

2023: Outpouring of support after racist abuse

In 2023, Vinícius received global support and praise for his stance against racism, following racist abuse. Various public figures and sporting figures, including Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, showed their support. An anti-racism law (Vini Jr law) was approved and named after him, and he also received the Sócrates Award at the 2023 Ballon d'Or ceremony.

2023: Awarded the Sócrates Award

In 2023, Vinícius was awarded the Sócrates Award for his humanitarian work and fight against racism.

January 2024: Hat-Trick in Supercopa de España Final

On January 14, 2024, Vinícius scored a hat-trick in a 4–1 victory over Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final.

March 2024: Captains Brazil for the first time

On 26 March 2024, Vinícius captained the Brazil national team for the first time in a friendly match against Spain at the Santiago Bernabéu.

October 2024: First Continental Hat-Trick

On 22 October 2024, Vinícius scored his first continental hat-trick in a 5–2 comeback win against Borussia Dortmund.

2024: Appointed UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador

In 2024, UNESCO appointed Vinícius as a Goodwill Ambassador for Education for All, making him the second footballer after Pelé to receive this honor.

2024: Copa América Appearance in the United States

In 2024, Vinícius Júnior represented Brazil at the Copa América held in the United States, continuing his international career.

2024: Awards and Champions League Win

In 2024, Vinícius Júnior won another La Liga–Champions League double with Real Madrid, scoring the winning goal in the Champions League final, was named the tournament's Player of the Season, was included in the FIFPRO World XI, and was named The Best FIFA Men's Player, also finishing runner-up in the Ballon d'Or.

2024: UEFA Champions League Final Win

On June 1, 2024, Vinícius scored in Real Madrid's 2–0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League Final, and was named the UEFA Champions League Player of the Season two days later.

January 2025: Scoring 100th and 101st Goals

On 22 January 2025, Vinícius scored his 100th and 101st goals for Real Madrid in a 5–1 Champions League win over Red Bull Salzburg, becoming the 23rd player to achieve this feat for the club.