A closer look at Real Madrid’s young Brazilians

Ever since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid haven’t quite lived up to their supporters’s lofty expectations. Sergio Ramos, Gareth Bale and Luka Modrić are all approaching the end of their time in the capital, while the signings of Luka Jović and Eden Hazard have failed to click thus far. However, there is hope for Los Blancos going forward due to the four Brazilian starlets they have at their disposal.

The route between Brazil and Madrid has been a well-trodden pathway throughout the years. Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos were two fundamental pieces of Florentino Pérez's first Galáctico side of the early '00s, whilst Marcelo and Casemiro played vital roles in Real Madrid's Champions League three-peat from 2016 to 2018. As Los Blancos look to move on to the next generation, four of the Canarinha's brightest talents make up Madrid's young spine.

Born on July 12, 2000, Vinícius Júnior grew up in the football-mad location of Rio de Janeiro. His parents were destitute and struggled to put food on the table, relying on Vinícius’ uncle, Ulysses, for financial support. At a young age, he would walk to Sao Gonçalo (an impoverished suburb of Rio) to play football on a pitch which was adjacent to the polluted waters of the Guanabara Bay.