Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior, known worldwide as Vinícius Júnior, has established himself as one of the most electrifying footballers on the planet. The 25-year-old Brazilian forward for Real Madrid and the Brazil national team claimed the 2024 FIFA Men’s Player of the Year award and finished second in the 2024 Ballon d’Or voting. His journey from the streets of São Gonçalo to the pinnacle of European football is a story of talent, resilience, and impact both on and off the pitch.
Since joining Real Madrid as a teenager in 2018, Vinícius Júnior has grown into the club’s franchise player. He wears the iconic number 7 jersey and is expected to lead Brazil’s national team in the post-Neymar era. His explosive dribbling, big-game goals, and advocacy against racism have made him a central figure in world football.
Has Vinícius Júnior won the Ballon d’Or?
Vinícius Júnior has not yet won the Ballon d’Or. In the 2024 edition, he finished in second place with 1,129 points, just 41 points behind winner Rodri. However, he did win the 2024 FIFA Men’s Player of the Year award, which is another major individual honor. He was also named the UEFA Champions League Best Player for the 2023–24 season after a stellar campaign.
- Full Name: Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior
- Club: Real Madrid (La Liga) & Brazil National Team
- Position: Left Winger / Forward
- Age: 25 (born 12 July 2000)
- Vinícius Júnior is a strong contender for the 2025 Ballon d’Or after another impressive season.
- He is in a relationship (not confirmed married) and has a son born in 2023.
- Transfer rumors to Manchester United remain unsubstantiated; his contract runs until 2027.
- His market value is around €140 million (Transfermarkt, 2025), making him one of the world’s most valuable players.
- He is known for his dribbling, speed, and decisive goals in Champions League finals.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior |
| Date of Birth | 12 July 2000 |
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) |
| Weight | 73 kg (161 lbs) |
| Current Club | Real Madrid |
| Jersey Number | 7 |
| Market Value | €106.9M (24/25); peak €176M (2025) |
| Ballon d’Or Wins | 0 (2nd place in 2024) |
| Marital Status | In a relationship (reported girlfriend Maria Julia Mazali) |
| Children | 1 son (born 2023) |
The Ballon d’Or is awarded annually by France Football. The 2024 voting saw Vinícius Júnior finish second with 1,129 points, narrowly behind Rodri. The 2025 ceremony is expected in October 2025, and Vinícius is widely considered a top candidate based on his continued performances for Real Madrid.
Who is Vinícius Júnior’s wife and family?
As of the latest reports, Vinícius Júnior is not married. He is in a relationship with Maria Julia Mazali, and the couple has a son born in 2023. Reports about his marital status are sometimes inconsistent, but no marriage has been officially confirmed.
Does Vinícius Júnior have a son?
Yes, Vinícius Júnior became a father to a son in 2023. The child’s birth was shared through family social media posts and reported by credible media outlets. He is not a father to any other children.
Who is Vinícius senior?
Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira, known as Vinícius senior, is the player’s father. He worked as a security guard and played a crucial role in supporting his son’s early football career. He is often seen attending matches and supporting his son publicly.
Some online sources suggest Vinícius Júnior is married or single. Based on available information from credible sports outlets and official statements, he is in a relationship but not married. Information about his mother’s name also varies between Tatiana Vinicius and Fernanda in different sources.
Is Vinícius Júnior transferring to Manchester United?
There are no credible reports of Vinícius Júnior transferring to Manchester United. He signed a contract extension with Real Madrid in October 2023 that runs until June 30, 2027. His release clause is set at €1 billion, effectively making any transfer impossible without the club’s agreement.
Speculative media mentions have linked him to Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City due to his global stature, but no formal bids or negotiations have been reported. His agent is Roc Nation Sports, and no official statements about a transfer have been made. The transfer rumors that circulate are largely based on his high profile rather than concrete negotiations.
Vinícius Júnior’s market value was €106.9 million for the 2024/25 season, with a peak career value of €176 million in 2025. Despite the high valuation, his €1 billion release clause and contract stability make a transfer to any club, including Manchester United, highly unlikely in the near term.
What are Vinícius Júnior’s latest stats and shots on target?
As of recent available data, Vinícius Júnior has played 375 total matches for Real Madrid, scoring 128 goals and providing 100 assists, for a total of 228 goal contributions. In the 2023–24 season, he scored 24 goals in 38 matches and added 6 goals with 5 assists in 10 Champions League games.
Career performance highlights
- 2022 Champions League: Scored the winning goal in the final against Liverpool, securing Real Madrid’s 14th UCL title.
- 2023–24 season: Named UEFA Champions League Best Player after a dominant campaign.
- Multiple FIFA FIFPro World XI selections and The Best award winner.
- Ballon d’Or do Mundial de Clubes winner (2 times).
Where can I buy Vinícius Júnior’s jersey?
The authentic Vinícius Júnior jersey, featuring the number 7, is produced by Nike and is available through the official Real Madrid store. Major sports retailers also stock the shirt, with prices varying based on whether it is a replica or authentic player version. The jersey bears the iconic number 7 previously worn by Cristiano Ronaldo and Raúl at Real Madrid.
Timeline of Vinícius Júnior’s career
- 2000: Born in São Gonçalo, Brazil.
- 2017: Signed by Real Madrid from Flamengo for €45 million.
- 2018: Joined Real Madrid Castilla, then made first team debut.
- 2022: Scored winning goal in UEFA Champions League Final against Liverpool.
- 2023: Became father to a son and won Copa del Rey.
- 2024: Nominated for Ballon d’Or, finished 2nd; won FIFA Men’s Player of the Year.
- 2025: Ongoing season; strong Ballon d’Or candidate; contract stability maintained.
What is confirmed and what remains uncertain?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Vinícius Júnior’s personal life: he is in a relationship and has a son (confirmed via credible media and social media). | Ballon d’Or 2025 win: not yet announced; he is a strong candidate but the outcome is uncertain. |
| His current contract with Real Madrid runs until June 2027 with a €1 billion release clause. | Transfer to Manchester United: no official statements or negotiations confirmed; current contract makes it unlikely. |
| He finished 2nd in the 2024 Ballon d’Or and won the 2024 FIFA Men’s Player of the Year. | Shots on target for a specific match: depends on match schedule; check live stats sources for real-time data. |
Background and context: playing style and impact
Vinícius Júnior is known for his explosive dribbling, pace, and ability to score in big matches. He is an elite left winger with strong 1v1 ability and link-up play. He was a key player in Real Madrid’s 2022 and 2024 Champions League runs, scoring crucial goals. His right foot is dominant, but he scores with both feet. Beyond his football, he is an active anti-racism advocate, especially after facing racist abuse in La Liga, and runs initiatives supporting Black youth in Brazil. His cultural dance celebrations have sparked both controversy and pride, but he embraces them as expressions of his heritage. His role in the Brazil national team is expected to grow as the team transitions post-Neymar.
Sources and what people are saying
“Vini Jr. is one of the best players in the world right now.”
Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid manager (press conference, 2025)
“I want to make history at Real Madrid.”
Vinícius Júnior interview, Real Madrid official site
“His market value is €140 million, making him one of the most valuable players.”
Transfermarkt, 2025
External resources for further reading include his Wikipedia profile, the Real Madrid official player profile, and his Transfermarkt page. Additional context is available from ESPN and the Ballon d’Or official site.
What lies ahead for Vinícius Júnior?
Vinícius Júnior is expected to continue as a central figure for both Real Madrid and Brazil. His upcoming schedule includes domestic and Champions League matches for Real Madrid. The Ballon d’Or ceremony is expected in October 2025, and he is a strong candidate. No contract extension or transfer decision is imminent given his current agreement, though his continued role in Brazil’s World Cup qualifiers will keep him in the global spotlight. For more on the broader context, see our Real Madrid 2025 season preview and Ballon d’Or 2025 predictions.
Frequently asked questions
What is Vinicius Junior’s height and weight?
He is 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) tall and weighs 73 kg (161 lbs), according to Real Madrid’s official site.
How old is Vinicius Junior?
He was born on 12 July 2000, making him 25 years old as of 2025.
What is Vinicius Junior’s current market value?
As of 2025, Transfermarkt lists his market value at €140 million.
Who is Vinicius senior?
Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira (Vinícius senior) is his father, who worked as a security guard and supported his early career.
What position does Vinicius Junior play?
He plays as a left winger or attacking forward, known for his dribbling and pace.
Does Vinicius Junior have any children?
Yes, he has one son born in 2023.
What number does Vinicius Junior wear?
He wears the number 7 jersey at Real Madrid.
Is Vinicius Junior married?
No, he is not married. He is in a relationship with Maria Julia Mazali.
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Philip Rowe is Senior Reporter at UKBullet.uk, covering breaking UK news stories.