With the start of the World Cup approaching, expectations surrounding the Brazilian team grow and gain even more strength among fans who believe in winning the long-awaited six. After the announcement of the players called up, high-profile names begin to focus even more attention from the fans and the press. Among them is striker Vinícius Júnior.

Standing out for his speed, dribbling and long-distance shooting, he has established himself as one of the main names in world football in recent years, gaining more and more prominence both in the Brazilian team and on the European scene.

In a post on Instagram, the player celebrated being called up to the Brazilian National Team: “That boy who played barefoot in São Gonçalo has arrived again. The World Cup is the peak of any player’s career and I’m going to my second one. It took three and a half years of hard work to guarantee a place among the 26. It wasn’t easy. Thank you to the coach for your trust, my whole family, the fans for their support as always. LET’S GO TOGETHER!!! We are Brazil and we will give our lives to bring joy to our country. May history be different!!! Trust our group!!!

Below, check out the trajectory of Vinícius Júnior, star of the Brazilian team!

First steps in football

Born in São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro, on July 12, 2000, Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior started playing soccer still a child. At the age of 6, he was enrolled in a Flamengo school and soon stood out for his above-average skills.

At the age of 9, he started attending futsal classes and tried to audition for the sport, but, due to his young age, he didn’t pass. The following year, he was federated by Flamengo and continued to develop his skills. Thus, at the age of 15, he was part of the champion team of the Copa Votorantim (Brazil Children’s Football Cup).

From then on, Vinícius Júnior became coveted by European clubs and, as soon as he turned 16, Flamengo signed his first professional contract. In 2018, after standing out at the club, the striker was traded to Real Madrid for around 45 million euros, in one of the most valuable transfers in the history of Brazilian football at the time.

Career at Real Madrid

After arriving in Spain, Vini Jr. went through a period of adaptation at Castilla, Real Madrid’s B team. Quickly integrated into the main squad due to his talent, he experienced initial seasons of oscillation between the starting line-up and the bench, maturing his finishing power.

The big turning point occurred in the 2021/22 season, when he scored 22 goals, made 16 assists and scored the Champions League title against Liverpool, reaching 8th place in the 2022 Ballon d’Or.

Since then, the athlete maintained a high level of performance. In the 2023/24 season of the Spanish La Liga Championship, Vinícius Júnior maintained a leading role at Real Madrid, being a fundamental player in the team’s offensive sector. His consistent performance throughout the season reinforced his consolidation among the world’s top players and led him to 2nd place in the 2024 Ballon d’Or.

Awards received

The player’s success earned him individual and collective recognition throughout his career, especially during his career at Real Madrid, where he established himself as one of the main names in the squad. Among the main titles won by the Spanish club with the player’s help are:

• UEFA Champions League (2021/22 e 2023/24)
• La Liga (Spanish Championship) (2019/20, 2021/22 and 2023/24)
• Copa del Rey (2022/23)
• Spanish Super Cup (2019/20, 2021/22 and 2023/24)
• UEFA Super Cup (2022 and 2024)
• Club World Cup / FIFA Intercontinental Cup (2018, 2022 and 2024)

Individually, the striker received widespread international attention: he was chosen as the Best Young Player of the UEFA Champions League in 2022 and, later, reached the top of global football when he was honored with the FIFA The Best award for Best Player in the World.

Games played

With almost a decade of professional career since his debut in 2017, Vinícius Júnior has accumulated remarkable spells for Brazil’s youth teams, with performances for the Under-15, Under-17 and Under-20 squads. In the Main Team, the striker became a constant member of the squad, playing in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar — where he scored his first goal in the World Cup —, in addition to maintaining a frequent presence in Copa América, Qualifiers and international friendlies.

At Real Madrid, the numbers increased throughout the seasons. The Merengue number 7 has surpassed the mark of more than 350 official matches, playing in elite competitions such as La Liga, UEFA Champions League, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, surpassing the 130 goals mark for the club.

World Cup 2026

After announcing the list of players called up, coach Carlo Ancelotti highlighted the moment of preparation and reinforced confidence in the team that will represent Brazil in the world title fight. “I have the knowledge and confidence that this team can compete with the best in the world. Can we win the World Cup and reach the final? Yes, we can reach the final. But I don’t know if it’s enough, the best thing is to reach and win the final”, he said at a press conference.

The 2026 World Cup will take place between June 11 and July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Before the debut, on June 13th, against Morocco, Brazil will still play two friendlies: against Panama (05/31) and Egypt (06/06). In the group stage, the team also faces Haiti and Scotland.