Vinicius Jr is one of Real Madrid’s brightest stars. Known for his talent, speed and spectacular dribbling, the Brazilian has become a pillar of the Madrid team. But behind the footballer lies a rich history and some little-known facts. Here are 5 things you didn’t know about the Casa Blanca No7.
Vinicius Jr joined Real Madrid in 2018, aged just 18. The Spanish club paid €45 million for his services at the age of 16, a record fee for a player of his age. At the time, many people criticised the transfer and felt that Vini was not ready for such a demanding club. But the Auriverde quickly proved his critics wrong. From his very first season, he showed flashes of his immense talent.
In 2022, he played a key role in Real Madrid’s Champions League victory, scoring the decisive goal in the final against Liverpool. Two years later, he led the Casa Blanca to Champions League and La Liga glory after the departure of Karim Benzema. Today, he is considered one of the best players in the world, if not the best, having recently won the FIFA The Best trophy for the best footballer over a calendar year.
Vinicius Jr’s childhood was marked by poverty
Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior, better known as Vinícius Júnior, sometimes abbreviated Vinícius Jr. or Vini Jr. was born on 12 July 2000 in São Gonçalo, a poor suburb of Rio de Janeiro. His childhood was marked by financial difficulties. His family lived in a modest house, and young Vinicius often had to play football in the streets with balls made from socks or plastic bags.
Despite these difficult circumstances, Vini always kept his dream of becoming a professional footballer alive. His father, who worked as a waiter, did everything he could to support his son. At the age of 10, Vinicius joined the academy at Flamengo, one of Brazil’s most prestigious clubs. It was there that his talent began to shine. ‘When my parents wanted to enrol me at the Flamengo academy, we didn’t have a penny. My father asked a friend for a loan, and he agreed… on condition that my mother cleaned her house every weekend. Despite my father’s embarrassment, my mother, determined, went there to clean. My father, aware that my future depended on it, joined her, even though it hurt him deeply. They did all that for me, and it’s thanks to them that I’m living my dream today. In Brazil, too many young people are not so lucky. My parents are my heroes, the real winners,’ said the Brazilian winger a few years ago in statements relayed by yop.l-fri
Vini and his hidden passion for painting
Few people know it, but Vinicius Jr has a secret passion for art, and painting in particular. Away from the limelight and football pitches, the Brazilian finds solace in artistic creation. In his spare time, he likes to sit down in front of a canvas and let his imagination run wild. He does not paint to exhibit or sell his work. He does it above all for himself, as an escape from the stress and pressure of top-level football.
Sometimes, Vini gives his creations to friends and family. For him, painting is a way of reconnecting with himself and cultivating his creativity off the pitch. This passion for art shows a little-known side of Vinicius Jr. While many see him only as an explosive, competitive athlete, he is also an artist at heart. Painting allows him to relax, reflect and express himself in a different way. It’s an essential balance for him, helping him to stay focused and fulfilled in his sporting career.
A passion for music and dance
Off the pitch, Vinicius Jr is much more than just a talented footballer: he is passionate about music and dance. The Brazilian, originally from Rio de Janeiro, grew up in a culture where music is omnipresent. He loves the samba, a typically Brazilian musical genre that sets the rhythm for parties and celebrations in his native country.
For Vinicius, dancing is a way of expressing himself and connecting with his roots. He often shares videos of himself dancing on social networks, showing a more relaxed and joyful side to his personality. These moments, when he lets himself go to the rhythm of the drums, contrast with the intensity he shows on the pitch.
Vinicius doesn’t just dance for fun. He has also collaborated with Brazilian artists on music videos. These collaborations show his love for music and his desire to support Brazilian culture. For him, music is much more than a hobby: it’s a way to recharge his batteries, relax after matches and stay connected to his roots.
A discreet investment in technology
Vinicius Jr doesn’t just shine on the football pitch. The Brazilian also has an entrepreneurial spirit and a keen interest in new technologies. In recent years, he has discreetly invested in several Brazilian start-ups, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence and video games. These rapidly expanding sectors attract his attention because he firmly believes in their potential to shape the future. For Vinicius, technology represents an opportunity to support innovation while diversifying his sources of income.
Although he is heavily involved in these projects, the Real Madrid star prefers to keep a low profile. He does not seek to draw attention to his investments and prefers to let the start-ups he supports shine on their own. This discretion shows his humility and his desire to contribute without seeking recognition. Some of the projects he supports aim to revolutionise the video game industry, a field that Vinicius has been passionate about since childhood. Others focus on artificial intelligence, a technology he sees as essential for the future.
Vinicius Jr’s active support for his community
Despite his international success, Vinicius Jr never forgets his origins. In 2020, he set up a foundation to support the education of disadvantaged children in Brazil. The initiative, called Instituto Vini Jr, funds school programmes, sports activities and vocational training. This project demonstrates the importance he attaches to the education and development of young people, a subject that is particularly close to his heart. For Vinicius, education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and offering opportunities to those who need them most.
Instituto Vini Jr doesn’t just provide financial resources. It also offers educational workshops, tutoring and sports programmes to encourage young people to develop their skills and self-confidence. Vinicius firmly believes that sport and education can transform lives, just as they have transformed his own. He is personally involved in the foundation’s activities and regularly visits the children, taking part in events to motivate them.
L’institut de Vinícius en aide aux enfants défavorisés a récolté 600.000 réals brésiliens (108k€) lors d'un événement il y a quelques jours. 👏 pic.twitter.com/WNcDEUwEs9
— Edition Merengue (@EditionMerengue) June 24, 2022
But Vinicius’ commitment doesn’t stop there. He recently announced an even more ambitious project: the transformation of a disused public school in São Gonçalo, his home town, into a major social centre. The project, which will benefit from a private investment of €3 million, aims to breathe new life into a place that is symbolic for the community. Located on the site where Ciep 040 Porto do Rosa Intercultural Brasil-Russia used to operate, in the neighbourhood where the athlete grew up, the centre will be able to accommodate up to 5,000 people.
After winning a public tender launched in June, Instituto Vini Jr was the only candidate to propose a project for the rehabilitation of the site. According to the Secretary of State for the Civil House, the land is to be handed over for a period of ten years, with a possible extension. The renovated centre will offer free educational, sporting and cultural activities to the local population, providing opportunities for thousands of young people and families.
For Vinicius, this project is much more than just an investment. It’s a way of giving back to the community in which he grew up and creating a lasting legacy. He hopes the centre will become a place of hope and opportunity for future generations.
In any case, Vinicius Jr is known for his dazzling speed and technique. But what few people know is that he follows a tailor-made training programme. As well as collective sessions with the team, he works with a personal coach to improve his physical and mental stamina. These extra efforts partly explain his impressive performances on the pitch. His inspiring career, his personal commitments and his work discipline make him an emblematic figure in sport. Knowing more about these less visible aspects of his life helps us to better understand why he is one of the biggest stars in world football today.
Leave a Reply