Brazilian and Real Madrid star Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior, commonly known as Vinícius Jr, is one of the most exciting players to watch in world football today. His exceptional speed, close control, and flair on the ball is devastating. As a young professional footballer, I played as an attacking full-back and recall my coach always saying not to let the winger turn by getting tight when they receive the ball. He also said to always worry about the space behind and the winger getting in behind. Thinking about this, I can only imagine Vinícius Jr would be an absolute nightmare to play against.
Why? Well:
a) If you get tight when he receives the ball to stop him turning, he has the control and tricks to work the ball around you or through you (nutmeg).
b) If you stand off and protect the space behind, it gives him the chance to run at speed, with and without the ball, right past you.
Watch the clip in this video (23 seconds in) of how he plays against Man City's Rodri and Kyle Walker, one of the fastest players in the game. It's a frightening display. See Walker's reaction at the end, showing huge respect for being challenged.
Background and Early Career:
Date of Birth: July 12, 2000.
Place of Birth: São Gonçalo, Brazil.
Youth Career: Vinícius Jr started his football journey at Flamengo's youth academy, one of Brazil's most prestigious clubs.
Professional Debut: He made his professional debut for Flamengo in 2017 at the age of 16, showcasing his potential early on and drawing attention from European clubs.
Move to Real Madrid:
In May 2017, Real Madrid secured his signing for a reported fee of €45 million, a record for a player under 18 at the time. He officially joined the club in July 2018 after turning 18.
Real Madrid Honours:
UEFA Champions League (2): 2021/22, 2023/24
La Liga (3): 2019/20, 2021/22, 2023/24
FIFA Club World Cup (2): 2019, 2023
Spanish Super Cup (3): 2019/20, 2021/22, 2023/24
UEFA Super Cup (2): 2022/23, 2024/25
Copa del Rey (1): 2022/23
1st Person Skill Breakdown:
Let’s take a 1st-person view of his magnificent goal versus Manchester City, captured at 6m.37sec in the video.
I'm just inside the halfway line, inside the channel. Mendy at left-back has good possession and needs an option to pass narrowly down the line. City's defender Fernandinho is behind me on my left shoulder and closing in; I can feel him coming tight. Ok, let’s dart to the sideline, side-on to the ball to receive the pass. Here the ball comes. Feint now to take it with my left instep. There’s a lot of pace on the pass. If I dummy to take the ball and miss it, Fernandinho may miss it too, and I can run around him and get it on the other side.
Execute! Leg over and spin around him. Yes, I’m around, and the ball has run perfectly ahead into the acres of space in their half. Now, sprint as fast as possible. Look up; I’m past the last defender; get to the goal area fast. Right foot laces push the ball ahead towards the box, and another, and another into the corner of the box. Look up; keeper Ederson is coming at an angle, smaller touch towards him, slow down enough; get ready to strike; one more small close control touch with laces; I can feel Rodri closing on my right. The keeper is holding ground on the near post; I see the far corner net is open. Punch the ball side-foot right past the keeper’s left foot towards the corner. Off it goes… and yessss, it’s in!
What a goal this is: 1st is the awareness to know that by dummying the ball on the halfway line with the defender so tight, if he misses it, Vinícius is past the last defender.
2nd is the fantastic speed dribble, as I call it. It’s running as fast as you can whilst punching the ball forward in the direction you want it to go, without breaking stride.
3rd is the vision and coolness to see where the keeper is as he gets close, and to find the gap for the side-foot execution.
Practice:
Set up a starting cone 20 yards outside the box. Line up two further cones every 10 yards to the box. On "go," sprint as fast as you can with the ball to the box and shoot when you reach the box. You are only allowed to touch the ball in stride, punching it forward with the laces pointed down of the same foot.
Repeat with a defender, one arm’s length behind you at the beginning, chasing you. This will ensure you’re practicing at full speed.
One2Pro:
The use of video with a coach review is fantastic for honing skill and performance. In our One2Pro online coaching app, 'techniques of the stars' are broken down step-by-step for our players to follow and practice.
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Be the One!
Aaron Tighe
Founder, One2Pro
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