Vinicius Jr‍‍`s journey: From the streets of São Gonçalo to FIFA’s Best Player

Hailing from the streets of São Gonçalo, a poverty-stricken area near Rio de Janeiro, Vinicius Jr has transformed from a barefooted boy playing football in his neighborhood to becoming the Best FIFA Men’s Player for 2024, in Doha, Qatar.

Vinicius Jr’s rise to fame is nothing short of extraordinary. Reflecting on his journey, Vinicius said, 

"I don’t even know where to start. It was so far away that it seemed impossible to get here. I was a kid who only played football barefoot on the streets of São Gonçalo, close to poverty and crime. Getting here is something very important to me."

Although he spoke with humility, his immense talent and passion for the game are always visible when he steps onto the pitch. 

From São Gonçalo to the grand stadiums of the world, Vinicius has maintained his unshakable love for football and his infectious smile.

The First Signs of Greatness
Vinicius’s talent didn’t go unnoticed. Cacau, the director of Escolinha Fla in his hometown, recalls spotting his special qualities at a very young age.

"When we took him to some tournaments between the ages of eight and nine, we realised he had something special," Cacau remembered. "Even his opponents would say that to mark Vini, you need a motorbike!"

For his family, his potential was clear early on. 

"We were certain he‍‍`d become a footballer because of everything he did, his dedication and his talent, because he lived and breathed it 24 hours a day, but we had no idea what level he‍‍`d reach," said Ulysses, Vinicius‍‍`s uncle.

A Journey to Flamengo
Vinicius joined Flamengo’s youth academy, where he began the long journey of balancing his football dream with daily life in São Gonçalo. 

He faced logistical challenges, including the long commute to the club’s training ground. 

"Transport was a real issue for him because it’s a long way from São Gonçalo to the Ninho do Urubu (Vulture’s Nest) training ground," Ulysses explained. "It was always this mad rush of training, school, and back home. After a while, he started staying at my house because he couldn’t keep juggling school in São Gonçalo with training in Vargem Grande anymore."

Vinicius’s rise continued in 2017 when he was called up to play in the South American U-17 Championship. 

There, he became the tournament’s top scorer and best player, leading his team to victory. His outstanding performances quickly caught the eye of Real Madrid, who moved swiftly to secure his signature, buying him just days before his professional debut for Flamengo.

A Transformed Life in Spain
Since his move to Real Madrid, Vinicius has won multiple major titles, including two UEFA Champions League titles, La Liga three times, and the FIFA Club World Cup™. 

He also made history with his appearance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. 

But for those who know him best, like Ulysses, he is still the same person at his core. 

"He’s still the same person. The same joy he has today when waking up to train at Real Madrid is the same joy that he had waking up at 6:00 to take the bus to Flamengo," Ulysses said. "When he‍‍`s doing what he loves most, which is playing football, you see the best version of him. That’s who he is, and anyone who knows him knows that his smile is his greatest trademark."

Impressive Moments from Early Days
Vinicius’s remarkable ability on the field was apparent even as a young boy. Carlos Noval, former director of youth football at Flamengo, recalls his first impressions. 

"The first time I saw him on the pitch, at the training ground, he already stood out," he said. 

"You looked at that boy and knew that there was something very precious and special about him. Because of his personality, because of everything he showed, at just ten years of age. We had no doubt that this was a talent who could become one of Flamengo’s best players."

Noval also remembered a specific moment during the U-15 Copa Votorantim, where scouts approached him after witnessing Vinicius’s extraordinary performance. 

"They came to me and said to look after him off the pitch, his mentality, because on the pitch they‍‍`d never seen anything like him at that age," he shared.

Another unforgettable moment came in the 2016 U-17 Rio de Janeiro Championship final against Vasco da Gama. During the first leg, Vinicius scored and showcased his flair, even earning applause from the rival professional team. 

"Vasco’s professional team had been training earlier and were all standing behind the goal watching. When Vinicius pulled off a rainbow flick, they all applauded and laughed; they were amazed." 

In the return leg, Vinicius scored two more goals, one from a corner, leading Flamengo to a 6-1 victory and the title.

The Importance of His Personality
While Vinicius’s football talent is undeniable, his character has played a significant role in his success. 

"Vinicius was a lad who‍‍`d go into matches, miss the first, second, and third chances, but try the fourth and fifth, and then score," said Noval. 

"Off the pitch, he‍‍`s a boy who spreads joy wherever he goes."

Noval attributes a lot of Vinicius’s positive outlook to the values instilled in him by his family. 

"I think it comes from the struggles he went through in childhood and the upbringing his parents gave him. They had nothing but they managed to raise him in an extraordinary way. The energy of that family is impressive and it makes him even more special."

Vinicius Jr’s journey from the streets of São Gonçalo to becoming the best footballer in the world is a testament to his talent, resilience, and the unwavering support of those around him. 

Today, he remains the same humble, joyful person who first set foot on the pitch, and his smile continues to be his most iconic feature.