8 times Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior was an inspiration to us all

Vinicius Junior is not only one of the most promising footballers on the planet plying his trade at Real Madrid, but is also a seriously inspirational human being in general.

Born in Sao Goncalo, Brazil, he’d made his first team debut for Flamengo at 16, and was being signed by Real in a £38m transfer which would activate on his 18th birthday just weeks later.

It wasn’t easy for him when he first moved over to Europe, but in the years since, the 22-year-old has blossomed into one of the most creative and explosive wingers on the planet.

The sky is the limit for Vinicius in football, which makes it an even greater shame that the beautiful game he gives so much to is tainted by deep-routed racism, which he continues to be subjected to.

But, in the face of adversity, Vinicius has always prevailed. We’ve recounted seven times he showed just how much of an inspiration he really is.

To say that Yan Couto was given a torrid time by Vinicius in Girona’s 4-0 defeat away to Real Madrid would be underselling it. Vinicius made mincemeat of his Brazil team-mate, directly beating him in the build-up to all four of Madrid’s goals.

Couto was in tears after the final whistle, having been given the runaround by Vinicius. The Madrid superstar sought him out and comforted him. Proper sportsmanship, that.

“The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi today belongs to racists,” Vinicius wrote after another example of appalling racist abuse back in May.

“It wasn’t the first time, nor the second, nor the third. Racism is normal in La Liga. The competition thinks it’s normal, the Federation does too and the opponents encourage it. A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but which agreed to export the