The Ballon d'Or champion — Brazil's most thrilling footballer and Real Madrid's match-winner whose searing pace, fearless dribbling and Champions League final heroics have made him the most exciting wide player on the planet.
Vinicius José Paaixão de Oliveira Júnior was born in São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2000 and grew up in poverty. He joined Real Madrid from Flamengo for €45 million in 2018 aged 17. He scored the winning goal in the 2022 Champions League Final against Liverpool. He won the Ballon d'Or in 2024 — the first Brazilian to win it since Ronaldo in 2002. He has been the subject of multiple racist incidents in Spanish football — receiving monkey chants at several grounds — and has been vocal in demanding greater action from LaLiga and Spanish authorities. His combination of pace, direct dribbling and improving finishing make him the most dangerous wide player in European football.
Champions League 2x (2022, 2024) (Real Madrid)
Career Honours
- Champions League 2x (2022, 2024) (Real Madrid)
- La Liga 2x (2022, 2024)
- Ballon d'Or 2024
- Club World Cup 2022
- Copa del Rey 2023
- UEFA Super Cup 2022