But Real Madrid had seen enough, and they signed Vinicius following Brazil’s astonishing Under-17 South American Championship victory, in which he was named the tournament’s best player and top scorer.

He was 16 years old and had played just 17 minutes of senior football when the trade was agreed upon, a full year before his July 2018 unveiling.

Vinicius was unveiled as Real Madrid’s first summer acquisition four days after the club won La Liga for the first time in five years, adding even more pressure to signing with Los Blancos. He was also the club’s first signing when the transfer embargo was lifted.

It was already a seismic event when Cristiano Ronaldo left the Bernabeu for Juventus after nine years, but by the time Vinicius was part of Real’s setup a year later, he had already replaced Ronaldo.

Vinicius was an illuminating figure throughout the period of change following manager Zinedine Zidane’s initial resignation.

In 2018, Spanish football expert Guillem Balague stated BBC Radio 5 Live that “he has brought to the side an electricity, a sharpness and bravery they did not have.”

“In my eyes he has got a bit of both Ronaldos.”

Real Madrid striker Vinicius was named the best in the world last season by his Brazil teammate Neymar (center-right).

However, his debut season was not without its setbacks. He helped Barcelona win the league with 31 appearances, four goals, and eight assists.

With 38 appearances across all competitions, Vinicius overcame this challenge and contributed to Madrid’s La Liga victory the next season.

Footballer Dani Alves of Brazil spoke to Business Insider and said:outside reference Without a doubt, he is one of those athletes who possesses innate potential. As a member of the Brazilian national team, I got to see him play up close. I have no doubt that we will learn a great deal more about him in the near future.

But Vinicius’ stay in Madrid has not been without its challenges. Although Madrid were down 1-0 at halftime of their Champions League group stage match against Borussia Monchengladbach in October 2020, video footage shows striker Karim Benzema yelling at teammate Ferland Mendy, “he is playing against us” and refusing to send the ball to Vinicius.

However, Vinicius was unfazed by the event and went on to excel for the club under new manager Carlo Ancelotti, winning the league title for the second year in a row and the Champions League to exact revenge for Madrid’s semi-final loss the year before.

Vinicius played in 52 games for Real last season and finished with 22 goals and 16 assists, contributing to an incredible campaign overall and especially in Europe.

In May, during the Champions League final versus Liverpool, Vinicius scored in the 59th minute to seal the deal.

A lot of people were happy for the victor.

Vini is shown his maturity away from the field, despite winning La Liga twice and the Champions League once as a 22-year-old.

“The happiness of a victorious black Brazilian in Europe bothers them much more.”

Vinicius made this and other highly worded remarks the night before his team’s match against Atletico Madrid, a rival from his hometown.