Vinicius Jr. has sparked discussions across Brazilian football after news broke that he’s now co-owner of Athletic MG, marking his second club purchase in under a year.
The Real Madrid star continues to show ambition off the pitch, following up his 2023 investment in lower league side Alverca with a bold move into Brazil’s second division.
The deal, first reported by journalist Santi Aouna, sees Vinicius take a stake in Athletic Club of São João del-Rei, a side currently struggling at 15th in Série B. Founded in 1909, Athletic MG enjoyed local success for decades before turning professional in 2018. Since then, they’ve earned back-to-back promotions and now look to stay afloat in a competitive league.
Fans will hope the arrival of Vini’s resources and global influence can help shift the club’s fortunes. While they remain far from top-flight contenders, the investment might fuel dreams of a dramatic rise.
Vinicius now joins the likes of Kylian Mbappe, who owns French club Caen, in building a football empire beyond the pitch.