Vinicius Jr Discusses His Journey, Family Influence, and Fight Against Racism in Football

In a heartfelt interview, Vinicius Jr discusses his upbringing, emphasizing the significant role his grandmother played in his life. He reflects on his commitment to fighting racism in football and the importance of his off-field achievements. As he prepares for the World Cup, he expresses pride in representing Brazil and highlights his journey in the sport. With four goals in the tournament, Vinicius aims to inspire future generations while advocating for equality. His story is a powerful reminder of the impact athletes can have beyond the pitch.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 29, 2026, 23:58 IST

Vinicius Jr Reflects on His Life and Career

In a recent interview with a Brazilian media outlet, Vinicius Jr, the star player for Brazil and Real Madrid, shared insights about his personal journey, his strong emotional connection with his grandmother, and his ongoing battle against racism in football. He also reflected on his aspirations for the World Cup and significant milestones in his career.

Vinicius Jr emphasized the pivotal role his grandmother played in his upbringing, describing her as a major influence in his life. He stated, “My grandmother is a very important person in my life. I lived with her until I was 16 years old. When you started speaking, I already knew it was her.”

He reminisced about his childhood spent in a modest home, highlighting the unwavering support his grandmother provided. “She’s a very important person to me because my father always lived far away. So, I always had my mother and my siblings with my grandmother, who always did everything. The house was very small; I slept with her. I even run out of words. She’s a person who marked my life,” he added.

Moreover, the Brazilian forward pointed out that his contributions off the pitch hold more weight than his on-field accomplishments. “These achievements off the field are much more important than those on the field, because I can help a lot more people,” he remarked.

Vinicius Jr reiterated his dedication to combating racism and leveraging his platform to motivate future generations. He is recognized as one of the leading voices against racial discrimination in football. Throughout his tenure at Real Madrid, he has encountered racist abuse in various stadiums across Europe, prompting investigations and broader discussions about addressing racism in the sport.

“May the evolution continue so that the next generation doesn’t suffer from racism. I want to keep doing great things on the field, but also inspire young people and fight for all Black people who don’t have the voice that I have,” he expressed.

As he reflected on his FIFA World Cup experience, the 25-year-old expressed pride in representing Brazil on the grandest stage of football. In the current tournament, he has scored four goals, the highest for any Brazilian player, along with one assist.

“I’ve always dreamed of playing in the World Cup, and now I’m in my second. There’s nothing better than representing my country and all those players who dreamed of getting here. It seems easy, but it was years of battle,” he noted.

Brazil is set to face Japan in the Round of 32, with a spot in the last 16 on the line. The five-time champions secured first place in Group C, marking their 12th consecutive tournament where they topped their World Cup group. This achievement extends their remarkable streak of finishing first in their group at every World Cup since 1982, maintaining an impressive 44-year dominance in the group stage.