Humble Origins: How Vinicius Junior Crafted His Legacy from Brazil

From Brazil’s humble streets of Sao Goncalo, Vinicius’ love for playing the beautiful game was ignited.

Like many Brazilian soccer players, he hails from a humble family having two brothers and a sister. From the start, it wasn’t super easy for Vinicius Junior’s Dad and Mum to put food on the family table.

Once upon a time, the finances of his parents started depleting, so it became difficult for Vini’s parents to transport their son to his football training.

As a young boy, Vini Junior was known to be gentle and quiet. He once had an addiction to playing video games, something he does on his mobile phone almost on a daily basis.

This article allows you to step into the untold world of Vinicius Junior, a footballer who is affectionately by the nickname “Vini.”  A Baller whose journey from the lively Brazilian streets of São Gonçalo to Real Madrid is nothing short of sportingly inspirational. We’ll tell you how Vinicius’s extraordinary talent, From a young age, set him apart and paved his way to becoming one of football’s most exciting talents.

Our memoir explores the roots of Vini’s passion, including the unwavering support of his family, and of course, his rise through the ranks to fame. At the end of reading, you’ll realize that Vinicius’s story is a beacon of hope to every aspiring footballer, both in Brazil and the world at large.

Early Life and Family Background:

Upon his birth, he was given the name José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior (Vinícius). Vinicius Junior was born on the 12th day of July 2000 to a Brazilian family in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is the son of Vinicius José Paixão de Oliveira (his Dad) and Tatiana Vinicius (his Mum).

Like many Brazilian professional footballers, Vinicius hails from a humble family and he has three siblings; two brothers and a sister. Early on, it wasn’t always easy for Vini’s Dad to put food on the table. But thankfully, the family got support from his hardworking uncle Ulysses. Thanks to this super Uncle, things began going well for Junior’s household.

As a calm boy who loves sports, Vini got addicted to playing video games via his mobile phone, something he did almost every day. When he switched to PC, he would play his favourite FIFA game. Vini found pleasure in using FC Barcelona as his team when he played FIFA and his favourite player in FIFA game was no other than Lionel Messi. Away from the gaming world, Vini had a profound love for playing football. In an interview, he once said;

I enjoy always playing football and futsal with my friends on the street of Brazil. The reasons I would only go home is to go eat,  play FIFA, or sleep.

Football Beginnings at the suburb of Rio de Janeiro:

Vinicius’ first experience with football started at Sao Goncalo, his rundown suburb of Rio de Janeiro. Did you know?… Sao Goncalo is at the heart of Brazil’s evangelical revolution, and adjacent to it are the polluted waters of Guanabara Bay. Only natives from a poor family background would live in this area.

It was at Sao Goncalo Vinicius Junior got to know and fell in love with “chapeau”, a football skill that involves flicking the ball over an opponent’s head in a humiliating fashion.

This led to the discovery of his Idol “Robinho“, the first person he had seen who made such a glorious move.  The Chapeau move ignited Vini’s love for Futsal football. For all the football registrations he made since then, Vinicius would go on to put Robinho as his mentor.

Life with Futsal:

Vinicius Junior’s early education began in the year 2006 when he was aged 6. The future Real Madrid Legend began his schooling as a student at Flamengo’s 125 schools in his native Brazilian town.

Upon registration at the school, Junior’s parents had to wait for about a year for their son to settle in school before starting his football career. The next year, young Vini registered with his first club, Futsal at Canto do Rio. This is a famous club in Niteroi, situated in the south of Sao Goncalo (a municipality in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil).

From the onset, it was more about playing futsal football. The location of Vini’s training location was a short ferry ride distance away from the city of Rio de Janeiro. It wasn’t always easy for Vinicius José Paixão de Oliveira (Vini’s Dad) and Tatiana (his Mum) to afford to transport their son. Once upon a time, their finances started depleting and it became hard to keep up with transporting their son to his futsal training ground. Later, their family began looking for options, one of which was a difficult decision.

José Paixão de Oliveira and Tatiana allowed their son to stay with his uncle, Ulysses who lived in Piedade, a municipality in São Paulo. Thanks to that, the distance between his new home and the training ground became much closer. Vini became happy because his parents were relieved of their financial troubles and he took his futsal playing ground as his second family home.

As the best student at the futsal academy, Vinicius Junior found himself climbing above his team’s ranks and becoming the best player in his age group. Hence, it took no time before he (a special player) got awarded the great No. 10 shirt. Vini was given this shirt number thanks to him being the playmaker of his team.

Aside from dribbling, Vinicius also learned how to exploit tight spaces. This improved his agility and reflexes and finally unlocked his footballing potential at a young age. 

Vinicius Junior Biography – Joining Flamengo:

The year 2009, when Vinícius was nine years old, his Dad and Mum wanted a new chapter in his career. Vinicius José Paixão de Oliveira and Tatiana took him for a trial at Flamengo Academy. At this time, Vinicius Junior’s Parents believed it was the right time for their son to convert from being a Futsal player to a normal footballer.

Flamengo Academy saw potential in him but didn’t accept him right away. The club told him to return when he clocked 10, a year older. Because Vinicius never wanted to stay idle, he attempted to go back to his old Futsal gameplay. Moving back to futsal (which he almost accepted permanently) almost ruined the hope of becoming a proper footballer. Thankfully to his parents, this move to stay permanently with futsal was averted as the youngster later chose not to return for futsal BUT to wait until he was 10 before joining Flamengo.

In the month of August 2010, young Vinicius took his first trial test for Flamengo’s youth, and as everyone would expect he passed it with flying colours. Following that, there came a reward for passing the trial. Vini’s Dad bought for his son, his first football ticket to go see the senior team of Flamingo play at their stadium – Estádio Luso Brasileiro.

The Adjustments:

While at Flamengo Academy, Vinicius witnessed his life changing for the better every day. He enjoyed his time with his Flamengo teammates at his club’s training facility, which was approximately 70km from his family home.

The early days at Flamengo saw Vinicius Junior’s parents being forced to make more money for their son’s daily upkeep. At this time, they knew he needed all the care as it was an important stage in his career life.

While Vini’s dad travelled on to seek a better job in Sao Paulo, his mum, on the other hand, had to relocate to join her son, who, at that time, was still living with his uncle. At last, Vini’s dad secured a better job, and the act of providing financial support to his family improved.

During that time, Vini’s Mum and himself lived in Gávea, a residential neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro. On daily basis, she would take a bus alongside her son, accompanying him for practice. Tatiana was a patient mother who would wait for her son in the part, witness his return from training, and then take him back home. When the finances of the family improved, a van was purchased. That helped Vinicius to easily get transported to his Flamengo training ground at Ninho do Urubu.

From Left back to Attacker:

At the the time he enrolled with Flamengo Academy, young Vinicius stated on his application form that he was a left-back instead of an attacker. As expected, it took zero time before everyone noticed he was an attacker and not a left-back, as claimed in his registration form. This became clear when young Vini single-handedly scored goals and helped his team win his first-ever title medal as a Flamengo youth.

From the moment he achieved this victory for the club, everyone, including Vini’s youth manager, became aware that Flamengo had got a jewel in their possession. In fact, Vinicius Junior did get the Golden Boot as well as the POTT (Player of the Tournament) award.

The Advancements:

Vinicius Junior’s professional debut finally came with Flamengo after a decade since his Dad registered him to Flamengo’s academy in Sao Goncalo. He had his debut in the year 2017, and that year was marked by him as the most memorable in his life so far. Upon watching him making his Flamengo professional debut, ESPN’s staff, who go by the name, Tim Vickery of ESPN FC  made a joke comment of it. In his words;

“Vini Junior on his Flamengo debut looked a little bit like a ball boy who ran onto the football field when no one was watching.”

Some viewed Tim’s comment as harsh and Vinicius Junior, in no time proved himself, writing his critics wrong and becoming the most popular person on the field. Even ESPN’s Tim Vickery was shocked to see the young Brazilian he had once joked about scoring goals and celebrating with a unique style for his Flamengo side.

Because he was that good, Flamengo football club announced the renewal of Vini’s contract just two days after he made his professional debut. The youngster’s release clause rose from €30 million to a whooping €45 million. The club made that decision because its board members anticipated a huge harassment by European clubs.

In fact, it was Manchester United that became the first club to begin to fight for Vini’s signature. The English club asked about the footballer’s availability and they also tried their best to lure him to play at the Theatre of Dreams. Then, Ed Woodward, the previous Man United chairman didn’t gather enough success in negotiating for the player’s purchase. Hence all transfer talks between Man United and Flamango broke down.

The Unforgettable Tournament:

In that same year which he regarded as his best, Vini (in March 2017) was called to participate (represent Brazil) in the South American U-17 Championship. He shone in the tournament by scoring seven goals, helping Brazil to win it for a record 12th time. Vinícius Júnior was named the U-17  tournament’s best player and top goal-scorer with seven goals.

There was a moment when Vini shocked the world in that tournament. Did you know?… During the game between Brazil and Paraguay, he produced in quick succession, three beautiful chapeaus (a rare football skill) and then, subsequently collected the ball with his right shoulder. Truth be told… If the great skill (the Chapeau movie) hadn’t already been trademarked, it would have been trademarked on that day, right there, when Vini made that skill.

The European Hunt:

Immediately after the FIFA U-17 tournament, top clubs in Europe wanted him but they complained about Vini’s high price tag. According to one or two of these clubs, Vini was just a teenager with a gigantic price tag, one who had barely kicked a ball and with no experience at the professional level.

Again, a Football scout from a big European club also claimed that Vini’s under-17 football performance provided little or no measure of his career future. Truth be told… These arguments were made to Flamengo so they would find reasons to lower his high price tag. However, when it comes to Vini’s natural talent and skills, it was hard for clubs to fight his €45 million price tag.

In that transfer battle, it is worth mentioning that European clubs like Manchester United, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid fought and became willing to roll all their dice. At that time, all clubs were both willing to pay €45 million for Vinicius’ services but with some conditions to such payment.

Research has it that the teams were willing to pay only two-thirds of Vinicius’ transfer fee at the start. Then, the other instalment would be paid once the footballer begins to prove himself to be a top-quality player in European club football.

The Transfer Battle:

After an intensive transfer battle, Barcelona’s bitter rivals, Real Madrid emerged on the scene as the players’ first choice. Deep down, Vinicius wanted Barcelona owing to the fact that he had loved FC Barcelona both in reality and in the FIFA video game (during his childhood years). Again, at that time, Barca had asked Neymar himself to intervene. It was reported that Neymar had contacted Vinícius Junior, telling him about the great benefits of joining him at Camp Nou.

The problem with FC Barcelona’s failed acquisition of Vini was the fact that the club proved unwilling to match his gigantic release clause. At first, all transfer talks were progressing well. When Barca was still trying to tie up all loose ends (like the inflated price tag), Real Madrid rushed with a very tasty offer. Real Madrid quickly agreed to pay up all the €46 million, and Flamengo gave them their player, without waiting for Barcelona.

Developing at Flamengo:

Following his transfer to Real Madrid, Vini did not just set out to travel the distance of 8,000 kilometres to Madrid. According to his new club’s wishes, he was allowed to stay back in his old club (Flamengo) to develop until July 2018. At that time, there were people who questioned his decision to join Real Madrid instead of FC Barcelona.  It was at this time that rumours came that Vinicius Junior’s parents and Uncle were behind the move to Real Madrid and not him.

During an interview session with his uncle Ulysses, it was gathered that Vinicius was the one who spoke to him at the time of making his Real Madrid decision. In Ulysse words;

I called Vini and said to him, ‘You have to decide which club to join.’ And the boy’s answer was: “Hala Madrid!” Those were his words… I swear to God, and for my happiness. Besides, out Legends, Casemiro and Marcelo also wanted Vini to join Real Madrid claiming that they would support and help him grow.

Truth be told… Vinicius Junior’s transfer to Madrid was historical at that time. The youngster was celebrated as the most expensive teenager (under 18) to be sold to a club in football.

Personality:

Starting, Vinic has an intuitive personality to his name. As noticed on the pitch, he can sometimes be very emotional. More importantly, the Brazilian Superstar cares deeply about matters relating to his family and home. Vini, to this day, prefers to make his personal life very private. However, he once revealed some information about his personality during an interview with a Spanish journalist.

This old interview, which happened while he was 18, revealed some interesting facts relating to the Real Madrid Legend. At that age of 18, he revealed he doesn’t own a home, and more shockingly is the fact that his parents (at that time) still collect and manage all his sporting finances. Secondly, Junior also told the world that he had suffered racism even in his home country, Brazil. He joins the likes of Rodrygo and Rudiger, as Real Madrid players who have also suffered racism.

The Brazilian athlete didn’t fail to mention his best childhood memories, which revolved around playing the FIFA video game.  Lastly, Vini allowed the Spanish journalist to have a back view of him and his friend playing his favourite FIFA game.

As regards the FIFA game, many career mode lovers are totally in love with Vinicius Junior’s performance both in FIFA game and in real life. In fact, fans of the EA game believe that Vinicius Junior will reach the 93+ margin at the age of 22, which coincides with the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Also about his personality, it is revealed that Vini Junior prefers to drink Coca-Cola and not alcoholic drinks. The first impression a football lover would have about him is his rugged look which is opposite of his gentie personality.  Lastly, one of Vini’s oldest best friends is Lucas Paqueta, another Flamengo academy graduate and a well-known professional footballer.

Speaking about how he was properly raised, Vinicius once said;

“My family, especially my Dad, protect me from everything badduring his youth, so I’m left with people who have always loved and support me and have always been with me from the very start.”