Vinicius Junior Reveals Real Madrid Icon and NBA Superstar as His Ultimate Heroes
Vinícius Júnior disclosed that Cristiano Ronaldo and LeBron James serve as two of his primary sources of motivation in his pursuit of excellence at Real Madrid.
The jersey number seven at Real Madrid stands as one of the most legendary shirts across all of football. Ronaldo carved his legacy into Spanish and European football history while donning the number seven, establishing an almost unattainable benchmark for future players. Vinícius Júnior, however, welcomed this formidable challenge.
The 25-year-old has emerged as one of the world's premier wingers, crafting his own remarkable story in this storied jersey. Vinícius Júnior contributed to Los Blancos securing their 14th and 15th Champions League crowns, alongside 12 additional honors to date.
It's hardly surprising that the current No. 7 admires the previous bearer of his jersey when discussing his greatest sporting heroes.
"Cristiano Ronaldo has motivated me through his remarkable effort and commitment," Vinícius Júnior stated in a conversation with GQ Spain. "He continuously pursues excellence without pause."
During his nine seasons in the white jersey, Ronaldo shattered virtually every scoring milestone in the club's history. The five-time Ballon d'Or recipient also served as the catalyst behind Real Madrid's historic Champions League hat-trick. Even at 40 years old, Ronaldo remains exceptional, recently demonstrated in Portugal's 2025 Nations League victory.
Vinícius Júnior also looked to the NBA when identifying another source of inspiration: "LeBron James for similar reasons, but additionally for his community contributions, demonstrating that excellence extends beyond athletic achievement.
"My greatest aspiration is to create a lasting impact that transcends football, particularly through all the initiatives I'm pursuing via my foundation to enhance Brazil's educational infrastructure."
Vinícius Júnior established the Instituto Viní. Jr in 2021 to assist Brazilian state schools, contributing to his homeland and local communities.
Naturally, the winger also acknowledged Seleção legends Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Neymar, "who symbolize immense importance to Brazilian citizens and Brazilian football culture."
Vinícius Júnior made history as the first Brazilian athlete to claim The Best FIFA Men's Player Award following his outstanding 2023–24 season, which he concluded with a goal in the Champions League final to clinch Real Madrid's triumph over Borussia Dortmund.
Despite the superstar experiencing a relatively modest 2024–25 season compared to his usual standards, he remains optimistic about achieving greater success for both his club and national team in future seasons.
"I aim to capture additional titles with my club, triumph in major tournaments with the national squad, and keep motivating future generations to have faith in their abilities."