The 22-year-old became the most expensive export from Brazil’s top division in 2018, joining Real Madrid from Flamengo in a deal rumoured to be worth €46m.
It took some time for Vinicius to acclimatise to his new surroundings – he scored just 14 goals in his first 118 games in all competitions for Los Blancos – but over the last couple of years he’s quickly established himself as one of the world’s finest wingers.
Indeed, he scored the winner for Real Madrid in the 2022 UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool – before being named as the tournament’s best young player – and played a key role in helping the club win back La Liga from neighbourhood rivals Atletico Madrid.
Most recently, he scored a brace against Al Hilal to crown Real Madrid FIFA Club World Cup champions and bagged two goals at Anfield to help swat aside Liverpool once more, this time in the last 16 of the Champions League.
The dynamic Brazilian will be joined at the Bernabeu in July 2024 by Endrick, who has already agreed to join when he turns 18, and the teenage prodigy has revealed just how good he thinks Vinicius will be in the future.
“I don’t miss a single game. I’m always there, always watching Vini ‘destroy’ the opponents. Against Villarreal, once again Vinicius has made the difference, unfortunately we lost,” Endrick said to TNT Sports.
“It’s very good to see Vinicius play. He’s always happy, playing with a smile on his face. Even when he’s provoked…The more they give more sticks, they [those who criticise Vini] in my view are stupid, because he plays even more that way.
“I believe that we, Real Madrid, will be Champions of the Champions League and that Vini will be the best in the world.”
The deal to take Endrick to Real Madrid could end up usurping the amount paid for Vinicius in 2018, with a fixed €35m fee expected to be topped up by €25m in variable add-ons and bonuses.
