Striker Vinicius Júnior, considered Brazil’s main hope in the World Cup, reaches the milestone of 500 games in his professional career this Friday. The feat takes place during the Brazilian team’s match against Haiti, in Philadelphia, valid for the second round of Group C of the World Cup. The celebration is even more significant because it takes place under the command of Carlo Ancelotti, the coach with whom Vini Jr. developed his greatest potential in football.
It is common knowledge that collaboration with the Italian coach was fundamental for Vinicius to experience the best moments of almost a decade of career. The numbers prove the depth of this relationship in the player’s journey, who made his professional debut for Flamengo at the age of 16, on May 13, 2017, and can now be proud of having been voted the best in the world. Reaching 500 matches at just 25 years old highlights a consistency and pace of development that is rare in top-level football.
Of the 499 matches played by Vini Júnior to date, a total of 209 took place under the guidance of “Carletto”. Under Ancelotti’s command, the athlete contributed 156 of his 241 direct career goal appearances. In detail, 96 of his 156 total goals and 62 of his 85 assists were credited to the period in which he worked with the Italian coach. The team maintains great expectations for new achievements in the United States.
“I believe he will present his best performance in this World Championship,” said coach Ancelotti in an interview given before the start of the competition.
Vinicius Júnior reached 500 games at the age of 25, in just over nine years of career. That represents an impressive average of more than 55 appearances per season, a testament to his durability and the significant development he made under Ancelotti at Real Madrid.
“It’s very simple to say. He was always the best coach I had, which gave me more confidence, with whom I played my best football”, declared Vini Júnior about his relationship with Ancelotti.
Vinicius’ career in football began on the same day he signed his contract with the Spanish club. Moments before, he replaced Colombian athlete Berrío in the 37th minute of the second half, in a draw between Flamengo and Atlético-MG at Maracanã, in a clash for the Brazilian Championship.
During his period of just over a year defending the colors of the club that formed him, Vinicius participated in 69 games, found the net 14 times and distributed five assists. His farewell to the Rio team occurred shortly before the 2018 World Cup, when, close to turning 18, he transferred to Real Madrid.
The calculation to reach 500 games includes five appearances and four goals for Real Castilla before his official debut, where he came on for Benzema in the 43rd minute of the second half in a classic against Atlético de Madrid, on September 27, 2018. That was the starting point for a history that has already accumulated 14 titles, including two Champions Leagues, in which he scored in both finals.
Vinicius has already accumulated an impressive 375 games for the “biggest club in the world”, with 128 goals scored and 85 assists granted. Brazilian fans hope to see this same protagonism with the Seleção’s shirt at the World Cup.
“At Real Madrid, I play a lot of matches, while at the Seleção there are few. Here, if you lose a game, confidence decreases and you can deviate from your objective. The World Cup has arrived, there are eight games, we can make history. Everyone is ready to write a beautiful story”, pondered Vini Júnior.
Practically 10% of his career was dedicated to the Brazilian team. The draw with Morocco in the World Cup opener marked his 50th game for Brazil, with a record of 10 goals and eight assists. His first call-up came in a 1-0 defeat to Peru on September 11, 2019.
The next challenge will be this Friday, in Philadelphia, in a scenario that Vinicius has already dominated in his 499 previous appearances: the spotlight will be directed at him. The expectation is that the player will shine again against Haiti, in a match scheduled for 9:30 pm (Brasília time).