Hello, Football fans! If you love following the Football and admire world-class, Vinícius Jr. is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Bursting onto the scene as a teenager, his dazzling dribbling skills, lightning pace, and infectious personality quickly made him a fan favorite, especially at Real Madrid. Over the years, his journey from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro to becoming one of the best wingers in Europe is as inspiring as it gets. This article delves into his personal life, early and professional career, relationships, contracts, earnings, endorsements, and football records, painting a portrait of a footballer who is rewriting the rules of the beautiful game.
Vinícius Jr.’s Biography
Here’s a snapshot of Vinícius Jr.’s private life, summarizing all the essential facts you need to know about the football sensation.
| Information | Details |
| Full Name | Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior |
| Nickname | Vini |
| Born | July 12, 2000 |
| Age | 25 years |
| College | Did not attend college (pursued football from a young age) |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Turned Pro | 2017 (at Flamengo, Brazil) |
| Net Worth | $55 million |
| Salary | Approx. $12 million/year |
| Spouse | Kenia Os |
| Relationship Status | In a relationship |
| Instagram Profile | @vinijr |
Early Career
Vinícius Jr.’s football journey began in São Gonçalo, a neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro. He joined Flamengo’s academy at age ten. Quickly rising through the youth ranks, he impressed with his electric pace and skill, making his professional debut for Flamengo in 2017 at just 16 years old. Scouts worldwide noticed his talent almost instantly, and by 2018, Real Madrid had signed him, signaling their belief in his potential.
Professional Career
After joining Real Madrid in 2018, Vinícius Jr. steadily developed into a world-class winger. Initially playing with Madrid’s Castilla team, he quickly earned first-team minutes. By the 2020/21 season, Vinícius was recognized for his crucial goals in Champions League knockout rounds, particularly against Liverpool and Manchester City.
His partnership with Karim Benzema became key to Madrid’s attack, helping secure numerous domestic and European trophies. By 2025, Vini had won several La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues, while also becoming an indispensable asset for Brazil’s national team.
Girlfriend
Vinícius Jr. is not married but is currently in a relationship. He frequently appears with Kenia Os, a well-known influencer and singer. As of 2025, there is no publicly confirmed news of him having children or any official marriage announcements. Vini prefers to keep his love life relatively private, sharing only occasional glimpses on social media.
Vinícius Jr.’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Vinícius Jr.’s estimated net worth is around $55 million. This figure includes his salary at Real Madrid, endorsement deals, and income from social media partnerships. As his brand value rises, so do his earnings, making him one of football’s modern-day millionaires.
Contract
Vinícius Jr. signed his latest contract extension with Real Madrid in 2023, securing his place at the club until 2027. The deal significantly increased his annual salary to around $12 million, excluding performance bonuses and image rights. There is also a reported release clause set at nearly $1 billion, making him one of the most secure assets in world football.
Career Earnings
Over the years, Vinícius Jr.’s career earnings have grown rapidly. Here’s a simplified breakdown of his salary progression and career earnings up until 2025:
| Year | Club/Source | Estimated Earnings (USD) |
| 2017 | Flamengo | $0.5 million |
| 2018 | Real Madrid | $2.0 million |
| 2019 | Real Madrid | $3.0 million |
| 2020 | Real Madrid | $3.5 million |
| 2021 | Real Madrid | $6.0 million |
| 2022 | Real Madrid | $13.0 million |
| 2023 | Real Madrid | $12.0 million |
| 2024 | Real Madrid | $12.0 million |
| 2025 | Real Madrid | $12.0 million |
| Endorsements/Other | $10.0 million (cumulative) | |
| Total Career Earnings | $74.0 million |
Endorsements
Vinícius Jr. has partnered with some of the biggest organizations in sports and fashion. His vibrant personality and marketability helped secure these lucrative deals:
- Nike: Vinícius is one of Nike’s flagship footballers, often featuring in advertising campaigns and exclusive releases.
- Oakley: He collaborates on stylish eyewear and social campaigns.
- EA Sports: As a FIFA video game ambassador, his image appears prominently.
- Red Bull: Participates in events and social activations, connecting football to youth culture.
- Gillette: Endorses grooming products aimed at young athletes.
- TAG Heuer: Features in premium watch campaigns.
- Pepsi: Appeared in football-themed commercials and social videos.
- Hublot: Fronts luxury watch collections targeted at football fans.
- Social Media Campaigns: Engages with multiple brands for Instagram and YouTube promotions.
- Brazilian brands: Promotes relevant domestic companies as part of his national appeal.
Career Records
Here’s a summary of Vinícius Jr.’s top performances and notable battles against leading clubs and opponents:
| Opponent/Club | Record/Highlight |
| Barcelona | Scored 5 goals in El Clásico matches |
| PSG | 2 Champions League goals vs PSG |
| Liverpool | UCL Final winner in 2022 |
| Manchester City | Knockout Round Goal, 2023 UCL |
| Chelsea | Semi-final assists and goals |
| Atletico Madrid | Match-winning goals in La Liga |
| Inter Milan | Champions League group stage goals |
| Bayern Munich | Quarter-final performance, 2024 UCL |
| Sevilla | La Liga braces and winning strikes |
| Brazil (National) | Copa América winner, starting XI |
FAQs
1. Who is Vinícius Jr. and where was he born?
Vinícius Jr., whose full name is Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior, is a Brazilian professional footballer born on July 12, 2000, in São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He currently plays as a left winger for La Liga club Real Madrid and represents the Brazilian national team. Standing at 176 cm (5’9″) tall and weighing 73 kg, he is considered one of the best players in the world, known for his exceptional pace, technique, and dribbling ability.
2. When did Vinícius Jr. join Real Madrid and what was the transfer fee?
Vinícius Jr. joined Real Madrid in July 2018 from Flamengo for approximately €45-46 million. This made him one of the most expensive teenage footballers in history and the second most expensive transfer from a Brazilian league at the time, after Neymar. He completed his move after his 18th birthday and made his official debut on September 29, 2018, coming off the bench in a 0-0 draw against Atlético Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu.
3. What major trophies and awards has Vinícius Jr. won?
Vinícius Jr. has won multiple prestigious titles including 3 La Liga titles (2019-20, 2021-22, 2023-24), 2 UEFA Champions League titles (2021-22, 2023-24), 2 FIFA Club World Cups (2019, 2023), 1 FIFA Intercontinental Cup (2024-25), 2 UEFA Super Cups, Copa del Rey, and 3 Supercopa de España titles. He was named The Best FIFA Men’s Player for 2024 and finished second in the 2024 Ballon d’Or voting behind Rodri.
4. What is Vinícius Jr.’s current salary at Real Madrid?
Vinícius Jr. earns approximately £345,000 per week or around £17.94 million annually from his base salary at Real Madrid. His contract includes performance-based variables that can increase his earnings to approximately €15 million net per year depending on achievements like winning titles or Ballon d’Or awards. This makes him one of the highest-paid players in La Liga, currently ranking third behind Kylian Mbappé and David Alaba.
5. Why is he called “Vini Jr.” instead of his full name?
Since 2020, Vinícius has been referred to as “Vini Jr.” in football, with the shortened name appearing on his Real Madrid shirt and across his social media accounts. This change was made after a brand analysis by image consultants, who determined that the shorter name would be more commercially appealing and marketable for sponsorships. His full name is Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior, but the abbreviated version became his professional identity.
6. When did Vinícius Jr. receive the No. 7 jersey at Real Madrid?
Vinícius Jr. received the iconic No. 7 jersey starting from the 2023-24 season in June 2023. This legendary number was previously worn by Real Madrid icons including Emilio Butragueño, Raúl, and most famously Cristiano Ronaldo. The No. 7 became vacant after Eden Hazard’s departure from the club. This jersey change marked a significant moment in Vinícius Jr.’s career, symbolizing his status as a key figure in Real Madrid’s future.
7. What is Vinícius Jr.’s relationship status?
Vinícius Jr. is in a relationship with Virginia Fonseca, a Brazilian television personality. He publicly announced their relationship on Instagram in October 2025, sharing a romantic photo of the couple together. The announcement garnered attention from other notable players including Neymar and Eduardo Camavinga, who playfully commented on the post.
8. How many Champions League finals has Vinícius Jr. played in and scored in?
Vinícius Jr. has scored in two UEFA Champions League finals for Real Madrid. He scored the winning goal in the 2022 final against Liverpool when he was 21 years old and scored the second goal in the 2024 final against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley at age 23. With these two goals in Champions League finals, he became the youngest player to achieve this feat, breaking Lionel Messi’s previous record by thirteen days.
9. How much is Vinícius Jr.’s net worth?
According to recent financial reports, Vinícius Jr.’s total net worth is approximately $55 million as of 2025. Beyond his Real Madrid salary of over $21 million annually, he earns around $15 million yearly from endorsements and sponsorships with major brands including Nike, Gatorade, Netflix, Pepsi, Sony, Unilever, and Yum! Brands. His wealth continues to grow due to his status as one of football’s most marketable stars.
10. What position does Vinícius Jr. play and what are his key attributes?
Vinícius Jr. plays as a left winger and occasionally as a forward. His key attributes include exceptional pace with top speeds reaching 34.06 km/h, excellent dribbling and ball control abilities, high acceleration and agility, and strong finishing. He is noted for his “Chapeus” technique, where he flips the ball over defenders’ heads. His playing style combines explosive speed, technical ability, and creative vision, making him one of the most feared attacking threats in world football.