The dual main role on the way to winning La Liga and the Champions League last season is proof that 21-year-old striker Vicinius Junior has matured, playing a pivotal role for Real Madrid’s conquering ambitions.

Compared to Barca’s bustling summer transfer season, Real is unusually quiet. After Kylian Mbappe’s “turn around” in early summer, the Spanish Royal team only bought midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, took midfielder Antonio Rudiger for free and made no other moves on the transfer floor. But that doesn’t mean Real should be overlooked as they begin their journey to defend their championships in La Liga and the Champions League from today. Besides Karim Benzema – the number one candidate for the 2022 Golden Ball, the strength and prestige of the champion at Real also comes from the fact that they own Vinicius Junior – the most talented young attacking star in the world.

Vinicius lifted the Champions League trophy at Stade de France on May 28, 2022.

Vinicius’ brutal finishing and particular approach were criticised, and his senior Benzema turned him away in attack. However, the young Brazilian striker has progressed to become a key player, leading Real to one of its best seasons in 2021–2022.

Wealth goes before age.

The Athletic returned to Vinicius’ homeland in Brazil, where fans who had followed him since childhood remembered the young star who got everyone going. Carlos Abrantes, Vinicius’ coach at the time, said opponents’ parents joked that the only way to catch this child star was on a motorbike.

In enormous Rio de Janeiro, Vinicius grew up in Sao Goncalo. Even though this location is poor, the boy had a pleasant upbringing. Vinicius started local school football aged six. Top squad Flamengo has 120 scouting branches. He met his first teacher, Abrantes, here.

Vinicius’ speed and dribbling made him stand out. In team tournaments, opponents sought to label him individually but failed. No one could keep up with Vinicius’ speed and directness. He was unstoppable “Abrantes recalled.

Vinicius joined Flamengo’s youth programme at 10. He listed himself as a left-back like his Flamengo idol Renato Abreu, an offensive midfielder who sometimes played on the left wing, in the application form. Carlos Noval, Flamengo’s youth squad leader, studied him intently. He considers Vinicius “unpredictable, fearless and strong-minded” player. Noval said: “He stood out. Vini started by charging the defence, much like he does today. Vini is brave. He can instantly shift course.” Vini’s switch and speedy dribbling are noteworthy.” Noval would call Vinicius “joy” because his smile and cheerful demeanour win over everyone.

Another Vinicius teacher was Gilmar Popoca. He coached the U13 and U17 Flamengo teams, but the two teachers and students got close with the U20 team. Vinicius was a Flamengo young squad diamond at the time, but few expected his incredible performance in Copinha, Brazil’s most famous juvenile competition. The scepticism is justified because Vinicius is three years younger than most of his competitors.

Popoca said: “You must know when to enter a boy in such a tournament, especially when he graduates from junior. Vini’s teammates were even prepared to be promoted to the first team, so I had to watch him closely. Luckily, Vini took advantage.”

Vinicius scored two goals off the bench against Central, assisted two against Nacional, and scored the winning goal against Cruzeiro in Copinha 2017. Vinicius’s teachers remember “deciding the match” best, despite several brilliant performances.

“He solved many tough matches,” Popoca stated. “He wants the squad to trust him and takes responsibility in tough circumstances. Many claim Vinicius can’t finish, but I disagree. Most matchups had him as the leading scorer. U-team Flamengo”.

Vinicius left after Copinha to play for Brazil U17 at the South American U17 championship in Chile. Vinicius’ seven goals helped Brazil win the title, boosting his reputation. Vinicius also learned a lot about defence from this competition. He was directly criticised by Brazil U17 coach Carlos Amadeu. He said: “Vinicius can sneak behind the defence, penetrate, and exploit space. Before the event, we noticed his lack of ambition. bolster defence”.

He compiled photographs of Vinicius from the first match to show him. After silently watching, the striker promised his teacher to pay greater attention. Next, Amadeu was thrilled: “He was the tournament’s leading scorer and greatest player. However, completing all field tasks is crucial.”

The Spanish press named Vinicius the “new Neymar” and confirmed that he had a contract-breaking fee of up to 30 million USD. Vinicius appeared on Marca’s cover before training with Flamengo’s first team, and when he signed with Real Madrid at 18, he had only played 17 minutes of professional football!

Vinicius was crowned top scorer and best player of the tournament when he and Brazil won the 2017 South American U17 championship.

Can this untested youth survive the harsh top environment? Vinicius turned 18 in the summer of 2018 and scored four goals in 32 Flamengo first-team outings. His artistic play split Brazilian public opinion in the last six months. Flamengo’s idol Dejan Petkovic thinks Vinicius is “too individualistic and does not contribute enough to the overall gameplay”.

As he prepared to join Real Madrid, Vinicius became Flamengo’s most important player. His impact was so significant that the Noval squad boss requested him to stay to help Flamengo win the domestic championship. Vinicius left on time with the Spanish Royal team despite his emotions.

Flamengo finished second after losing Vinicius midway, although Noval didn’t hate him. He continues to advise Vinicius on career choices. Noval constantly congratulated Vinicius on his advancement and expressed his delight in helping him start his career.

“I knew Vinicius would be a great player from childhood. He was perhaps the only one who believed me. Vinicius makes everyone happy, therefore watching him play is fun “Noval said.

Get around obstacles

Vinicius is wanted by many European giants, including Barca. After missing Santos’ Neymar in 2013, Real was desperate not to lose another Brazilian gem to its rival. Real proposed a future strategy to persuade Vinicius and his family. hybrid of this player, besides its financial appeal. Juni Calafat, Real’s player hunting guru, visited Brazil to explain to Vinicius and his family how to become a star player at the Bernabeu.

After deciding to join Real and waiting another year to reach 18, Vinicius met with a Real representative every week to examine video footage of himself and Real’s matches to learn what the Royal squad expected from him. He knows he helps Calafat acquire rough gems from around the world for president Florentino Perez. Along with Vinicius, other “projects” include Martin Odegaard, Fede Valverde, Takefusa Kubo, and Rodrygo. All of the above stars played for Real’s Castilla youth squad under Santiago Solari.

Solari: “Real use Vinicius to locate and attract players before they burst. The transfer market is awash in hefty costs. Now you can see the results of this courageous technique that takes a genuine eye for people. The academy and leadership deserve commendation.”

The youthful newcomer made an impact quickly. His double in a 2-2 draw with the Atletico Madrid youth team in early September 2018 was personal. After the “mini-derbi” encounter, the local press urged then-first team coach Julen Lopetegui to immediately place him in the main squad, which was struggling for goals after the superstar’s summer departure. Cristiano Ronaldo.

Vinicius only played 12 minutes in two La Liga matches and spent most of his time with Castilla, Real’s junior squad. Popoca suggests moving Vinicius to the B squad to assist him adjust to the Spanish football style and Real Madrid’s branding without overwhelming him.

After the 1-5 El Clasico loss to Barca, Lopetegui was fired. Solari instantly recruited a Brazilian student to team A as interim coach, even though it was not the best time to bring a young athlete under the highest pressure to perform in the world. After a turbulent start to the season, the Argentine coach believes it is the proper time to give Bernabeu fans a breath of fresh air.

The excitement caused by Vinicius’ speed, dribbling, and positivity relieved President Perez. Solari: “His direct play caught the supporters’ attention throughout the encounter. Vini raised the stands with his high expectations every time he had the ball. He constantly brings Vini joy—it’s in her DNA. His play also makes me happy.”

By January 2019, Vinicius was a Solari player. Vinicius scored his first La Liga goal against Alaves the following month, but he thrived in the Copa del Rey. He assisted 6 and scored 2 in the first five knockout rounds before exhausting Gerard Pique in the semis. Real fell 3-0 against Barca at home.

The Champions League champions, Real Madrid, lost 4-1 to young Ajax Amsterdam a week after a good start. Vinicius’ ankle injury forced him to leave the Ajax match in tears. This dismal loss ended Solari’s brief reign, allowing Zinedine Zidane to return as Real coach. His signing of Eden Hazard from Chelsea for around 100 million euros, which Zidane suggested, won over the board of directors.

Injury when Real lost to Ajax and a change in head coach made Vinicius face the biggest difficulty since moving to Europe.

Vinicius only played 90 minutes seven times in his second season at Madrid and first under Zizou, scoring five goals and four assists in 38 appearances on all surfaces. A source close to Vini says his connection with the French icon is strained. He emphasises his weaknesses rather than his strengths. For Vinicius, this rigorous approach was incorrect.

Zidane expects Hazard to disappoint with poor performances and injuries. He still had Zidane’s trust and forced Vinicius to play out of position or sit on the bench. The incident in the Champions League encounter against Monchengladbach further lowered this young player’s confidence.

At halftime, with Germany leading 1-0, Karim Benzema told Ferland Mendy, “Don’t pass to him anymore.” This is against us!”. Hazard replaced Vinicius after 25 minutes without Benzema passing to him. Ironically, Real scored twice to salvage a tie.

It was hard for a young man who had been in Europe for over a year. However, his former teacher Amadeu recognised that Vinicius was a strong man behind his cheerfulness. How did his student overcome issues? “He can easily overcome obstacles, tackle challenges, and meet high expectations. tallest”.

Reach the top

Zidane’s second resignation followed Real Madrid’s disappointing 2020-21 season at the biggest stadiums. The return of coach Carlo Ancelotti set the stage for the next great season after that disappointment. The Italian coach set up Hazard, Bale, and Benzema in attack in the first two matches. Vinicius came off the bench and scored 25 minutes later against Alaves, changing everything. He produced two fantastic goals to help Real draw 3-3 with Levante a week later.

During the post-match TV commentary, Jorge Valdano exclaimed, “Vinicius learned how to shoot in a week”. In the first five La Liga matches of 2021-22, he scored five goals, matching his 35-game total from the previous season.

On the training pitch, Ancelotti demanded his student shoot earlier and handle less touches in the opponent’s penalty area. This guidance also boosted Vinicius’ confidence and made him feel important.

After scoring against Celta Vigo on September 12, Vinicius joined the crowd to celebrate the Bernabeu’s reopening after 18 months due to the epidemic. Vinicius’s hard effort and attention during tough times earned him the seniors’ respect in the locker room.

Season every season, Vinicius proves himself. After technical manoeuvres and a cannon shot from outside the penalty area, he scored his spectacular goal against Sevilla. Only a confident, talented athlete can score such a magnificent goal.