
Vinicius Junior (foto: Getty Images)
Vinicius Jr reached a significant milestone in his career, scoring his 100th goal for Real Madrid during their victory over Salzburg.
The 24-year-old Brazilian winger, now in his seventh season with the club, has solidified his place in the history of one of the world’s greatest teams.
Born in Sao Gonçalo, a municipality in Rio de Janeiro, on 12 July 2000, Vinicius began his journey from a humble upbringing in one of Brazil’s most deprived favelas. Today, he is an integral part of Madrid’s legacy.
It took Vinicius 291 games to reach the 100-goal mark, a feat that reflects both his determination and his evolution as a player. Early in his career, his dribbling talent was evident, but his goalscoring instincts took time to develop. His first official goal came on 6 December 2018 in a Copa del Rey match against Melilla, followed by his first La Liga goal in February 2019 against Deportivo Alaves.
The turning point came in 2021, when Vinicius began consistently delivering in front of goal. A key moment was his brace against Liverpool at Valdebebas, which showcased his growth. Under Carlo Ancelotti, Vinicius has developed into a clinical finisher. After scoring only 14 goals in his first three seasons, he netted 22 in his fourth and has added 86 more in the last three and a half seasons.
Vinicius now ranks as the 23rd player to reach 100 goals in official competition for Real Madrid, equaling Fernando Morientes. He is closing in on other club legends like Ivan Zamorano (101), Sergio Ramos (102), and Ronaldo Nazario (104). Among foreign players, Vinicius is the tenth-highest scorer in Real Madrid’s history and could soon surpass Gareth Bale (106) and Gonzalo Higuain (121).
Looking ahead, Vinicius’s trajectory suggests he could eventually challenge records held by iconic players such as Hugo Sanchez (207) and Ferenc Puskas (242). However, surpassing the top three—Alfredo Di Stefano (308), Karim Benzema (354), and Cristiano Ronaldo (450)—remains a daunting challenge. For now, Vinicius Jr continues to build his legacy as one of the best players in Real Madrid’s illustrious history.