Vinicius Junior
Brazil and Real Madrid forward; team's primary attacking threat with Neymar ruled out of the 2026 World Cup.
Last refreshed: 11 June 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Can Vinicius Junior carry Brazil through their most injury-depleted squad in years?
Timeline for Vinicius Junior
Mentioned in: Brazil draw Morocco short of forwards
2026 FIFA World CupNamed as Brazil's attacking leader for the Morocco opener in Neymar's absence
2026 FIFA World Cup: Neymar out as five squads file verdicts- Is Neymar playing at the 2026 World Cup?
- Neymar is out of Brazil's opening match against Morocco on 13 June with a grade-2 calf strain. Carlo Ancelotti kept him in the squad targeting the Haiti fixture on 20 June.Source: event
- Who will lead Brazil's attack with Neymar out?
- Vinicius Junior and Raphinha are Brazil's primary attacking threats at the 2026 World Cup, after Neymar, Rodrygo, Estevao, and Militao were all ruled out or unavailable for the Morocco opener.Source: event
- Who does Vinicius Junior play for at club level?
- Vinicius Junior plays for Real Madrid, having joined from Flamengo in 2018. He has won two UEFA Champions League titles with the club.
Background
Vinicius Junior is a Brazilian forward who joined Real Madrid from Flamengo in 2018 and developed into one of world football's most dangerous attackers. He has won two UEFA Champions League titles with Real Madrid and was runner-up in the 2023 Ballon d'Or in a result widely disputed by the club and Brazilian football. Known for his pace, dribbling, and direct running from the Left wing, he has established himself as a consistent 20-plus-goal contributor for club and country.
At the 2026 World Cup, Vinicius Junior leads Brazil's attack after Neymar confirmed a grade-2 calf strain ruling him out of the opening fixture against Morocco on 13 June. Carlo Ancelotti kept Neymar in the squad targeting the Haiti fixture on 20 June, but Brazil's group-stage opener rests on Vinicius and Raphinha to carry the attacking threat.
Brazil have also lost Rodrygo, Estevao, and Militao to injury, leaving Vinicius and Raphinha to supply the width and goalscoring threat against a Moroccan side with proven ability to absorb pressure from elite attacking players. Morocco reached the 2022 World Cup semi-finals with a system that neutralised similarly dangerous wingers.