Vinicius Junior hits 500 professional appearances

Brazilian winger Vinícius Júnior, 25, marked his 500th professional match for Real Madrid and the Brazil national team. The milestone came ahead of Brazil’s friendly against Haiti at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and underscored a career that began at Flamengo in 2017.

During his tenure at Real Madrid, Júnior has added 14 trophies, including two Champions League titles in which he scored in both finals. Over 200 of his first 500 games and a majority of his goal contributions occurred under coach Carlo Ancelotti, whom he credits for his development. His contract carries a €1 billion release clause and is set to run until June 2027; renewal talks have been paused until after the World Cup, while his market value is estimated at €90‑110 million.

The achievement was celebrated on social media, with Júnior thanking teammates, coaches and supporters, and it highlights his growing commercial and sporting value as Brazil prepares for the upcoming World Cup.