Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior (born July 12, 2000), known as Vinícius Júnior or Vini Jr., is a Brazilian professional footballer. He plays as a forward for La Liga club Real Madrid and the Brazil national team. He is known for his pace, technique, and dribbling ability and is considered one of the best players in the world.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior |
| Date of Birth | July 12, 2000 |
| Place of Birth | São Gonçalo, Brazil |
| Origin | Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Partner | Maria Julia Mazalli (previous) |
| Children | N/A |
| Occupations | Footballer |
| Club | Real Madrid |
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Jersey Number | 7 |
| Position | Forward |
| Net Worth | $50 million |
Early Life and Background
Vinícius Júnior was born in São Gonçalo, a municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. From a young age, he was drawn to football, joining the youth academy of Flamengo at age five.
Despite his family’s financial struggles, his parents supported his passion, with his mother taking him to training while his father worked in São Paulo.
Initially, a document described him as a left-back, but he quickly transitioned to a forward, showcasing exceptional skill in the final third.
Career
Vinícius began his professional career with Flamengo, making his debut at the age of 16. In 2018, he transferred to Real Madrid in a significant deal.
He was presented as a Real Madrid player in July 2018 and made his debut in September of the same year. His first goal for the club came in November 2018.
In 2019, he scored his first UEFA Champions League goal. He played a role in Real Madrid’s La Liga title win in the 2019–20 season.
In April 2021, he scored twice in a Champions League match against Liverpool. The 2021-2022 season marked a breakthrough for Vinícius, during which he scored several important goals, including a hat-trick against Levante.
He also scored the winning goal in the Champions League final against Liverpool, securing Real Madrid’s victory. He finished that season as the team’s second-highest goalscorer.
In October 2023, Real Madrid extended his contract until 2027. He scored a hat-trick against Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final in January 2024.
He continued his success by scoring in Real Madrid’s victory in the 2024 UEFA Champions League Final and was named UEFA Champions League Player of the Season.
In December 2024, he was named The Best FIFA Men’s Player for 2024. In January 2025, he scored his 100th and 101st goals for Real Madrid in a Champions League win.
Internationally, Vinícius represented Brazil in youth championships, contributing to their victories. He made his senior debut for Brazil in 2021 and scored his first goal in March 2022.
He was part of Brazil’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and captained the national team for the first time in a friendly against Spain in March 2024.
Personal Life
Vinícius grew up in poverty in São Gonçalo with his mother and grandmother. His father was absent during his early years but later reconnected with the family. Vinícius financially supports his family. In 2018, he mentioned dating Maria Julia Mazalli, a reality TV star.
Net Worth
In 2025, Vinicius Junior’s net worth is estimated at $50 million. His annual salary at Real Madrid is around $21.4 million.
His contract is expected to pay him $21.5 million annually through 2025. He also earns around $3 million annually from endorsements.
