Vini Jr. is Brazil’s best player, but his jersey doesn’t have his actual name

Vini Jr. is one of the world’s most well-known footballing stars.

A dynamic goal scorer for both Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team, Vini has millions of fans across the globe, and he’s now trying to lead Brazil to a World Cup trophy.

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His game is filled with impressive characteristics, from speed and footwork to finishing and distribution.

His name, though, often raises a question.

The back of his jersey says Vini Jr. — but that’s not his full name, as most suspect.

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What is Vini Jr.’s full name?

Vini Jr. is an abbreviated form of Vinicius Jr.

Vinicius Jr., of course, has a longer, full name:

Vinícius José Paixão de Oliveira Júnior.

He decided at some point that the punchier, shorter version Vini Jr. looks great on the back of his jersey and on social media.

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He’s certainly not the first Brazil player to go by a singular name rather than a first and a last name.

Most of the all-time Brazilian greats operate that way — the world knows them as Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Neymar.

Vini Jr. shouts out his familial roots with the «junior» part, but he’s still going with something short and sweet for all his fans to remember.

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