Vinicius Júnior and the empire of 39 employees trying to make him the new Neymar and Mbappé’s perfect rival

With the imperturbable face of always and with the serenity that distinguishes him, Charles Ancelotti He shot a phrase for all ball lovers to hear. “Even today, in my personal opinion, Vinicius is the most decisive player in world football. For continuity, dribbling, assists, goals he is the best”the blue coach who released himself in February after the historic 5-2 real Madrid against Liverpool at Anfield for the round of 16 Champions League. And the Brazilian’s performance in the 1-1 draw against Manchester City in the first leg of the semifinal he agreed again Carletto: He scored a great goal and was one of the figures.

Ancelotti’s words can sound extravagant and even motivational. But they also hide an idea that has been hidden in Madrid for a few months: making Vinicius Júnior one of the most influential figures in football. Something like turning it in the new Neymarin the perfect rival of the unstoppable Kylian Mbappé and the lethal Erling Haaland for the next few years.

In Spain everyone is talking about Vinicius. The striker arrived in the Spanish capital as one of the great Brazilian promises: he was 17 years old, 49 games and 10 goals in Flamengo. It was a jewel to be polished. And that’s what they started doing at Real Madrid from day one.

His signing did not arouse much enthusiasm as all eyes were on the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and his possible replacement. But before long the born in Rio de Janeiro He was known for his gaiety and rising football, as well as the fact that he found it difficult to score goals.

A figure is used to measure the growth of I came: that young man who arrived in 2018 had just over a million followers on his account instagram and today it has already comfortably exceeded 33 million. Add about a million followers a month. And it is no small matter for advertisers who look to footballers as ideal models to increase sales.

Of course, nothing is left to chance in the Vinicius universe. He has an entourage that surrounds him and that in Spain and Brazil is known as the “VJR Team”. The Real Madrid striker has an empire of its own that has 39 employees who keep watch over it in sun and shade. It is no eccentricity to have a French chef for daily meals. Neither a physical trainer and a physiotherapist. Not only that: in his daily life in Madrid – where he lives with his parents, brothers and some friends – he is usually accompanied by a cameraman and a producer who film him for hours and hours with the intention of selling the tapes to one of the big TV chains of the streaming industry. A photographer also assists him during matches and training to feed his social networks.

the head of the “VJR Team” AND Federico PenaCEO of the TFM company, which has sponsored him since his days flamenco. They were the ones who chose to change the footballer’s name: Vinicius Junior was very long and complex to pronounce, they said. Then they were for came jr. This company is also close to closing the most expensive deal in history for a footballer with a sports brand. In the last months, the Brazilian has broken his ties with Nike and Puma offers him more than 25 million euros a year, what Neymar currently pays. Adidas, which pays Messi 19 million euros, is also following in his footsteps.

Vinicius, like great athletes, is a money making machine. The striker shares the image rights with Real Madrid, although the percentages are not known. “This is a strategy that Florentino Pérez already used in the days of the galacticos. And at that time the rule was 50 percent. Obviously this has changed, Florentino himself has left and returned. Today there is an implication , not 50 percent. I can’t confirm the percentage, but Real Madrid are indeed a partner in Vinicius’ image.”Pena stressed.

JR wines argues commercial treaties Casas Bahía, Bet Nacional, Vivo, Dolce Gabbana and the Italian watch house Gagá Milano, as well as being an ambassador for the EA Sports FIFA 2020 video game.

The same, the whole Vinicius phenomenon he sustains himself with what he does on the field. Last season it exploded: he scored 22 goals in 52 games. More: he scored the goal with which Real Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 in the Champions League final. “Scoring a goal for Real Madrid in a Champions League final already makes you a legend”, assured the German Jurgen Klopp. Quickly, the Spanish top management extended his contract until 2027, increased his salary from 3 to 10 million euros per season and set his release clause at 1,000 million. Yes, there is nothing left of that striker who missed goals in large numbers and who was laughed at by many.

And the numbers for the current season are even better for the Brazilian: he has 23 goals (6 fewer than Karim Benzema) and 21 assists in 51 games. He was instrumental in obtaining the Club World Cup by scoring a brace against Al-Hilal.

But the Rio de Janeiro striker also made headlines for other reasons: every time he plays as a guest he usually receives racist insults. Furthermore, rivals often brand him violently because they define him as provocative. “I don’t understand the criticism of Vinicius. Journalists say it provokes, but no: it’s their football. Football is not just about scoring or defending; football must have magic“, defended the Portuguese João Félix, old rival in Atlético de Madrid.

Vinicius is having his best season in Europe and everyone is talking about him. A piece of information: according to the specialized site transfer market, is the third-highest valued player (€120m), only behind Mbappé (€180m) and Erling Haaland (€170m). And much more: Mohamed Salah voted him the best footballer in the world at the awards The best.

Vini JR dances, dribbles and scores goals. And he also has a empire behind who supports him with a single intention: to make him the new Neymar and the main opponent against Kylian Mbappé.