However, an interesting fact is that this won’t be the first time that Vinicius Jr – Brazil’s most well-known player – will be playing in India. A packed out crowd is expected, as the likes of Vinicius Jr, Raphinha, Marquinhos , Gabriel and Endrick step foot on Indian soil. Here’s the story of when Vinicius’ last visit to the country.
October 3 is set to be a momentous day in Indian football, as India take on Brazil in a highly-anticipated international friendly at Kolkata’s iconic Salt Lake Stadium.
He smashed in four goals and finished as the top-scorer of the tournament, as Brazil won every single match en route to the title. At this point in time, Vinicius was still in Brazilian club Flamengo’s youth academy. He scored the final goal of the game in the 82nd minute.
Back in October 2016, Vinicius Jr was part of a Brazil squad that toured India’s state of Goa for the inaugural edition of the BRICS U-17 Football Cup. Then regarded as one of the biggest teenage talents in the world, Vinicius played against hosts India, South Africa, Russia and China as Brazil won the U-17 tournament. His visit to India happened almost one year before his 46 million euro transfer to Real Madrid in May 2017. Vinicius Jr was Brazil’s standout player as they went on to win the BRICS U-17 Football Cup. Vinicius also played and scored against India, in a group match that Brazil won 3-1. Vinicius lit up the recent FIFA World Cup 2026, scoring four goals, although Brazil were knocked out in the Round of 16. However, his electric form seems to have deserted him, with the 26-year-old looking a shadow of his best in the ongoing 2026-27 season with Real Madrid.
