Vinicius Junior turns to Portugal barber before Real Madrid’s La Liga meeting with Espanyol

Vinicius Junior has revealed a new look ahead of Real Madrid’s first official La Liga appearance of the new season, with the Brazil forward changing his hairstyle and trimming his beard before the club’s trip to Barcelona to face Espanyol.

The 25-year-old had grown a beard during his holiday but chose to have it shaped before joining his team-mates for the journey to Catalonia. He also underwent a fresh haircut, creating a noticeably different appearance shortly before making his first competitive outing for Real Madrid in the new league campaign.

The makeover attracted attention from supporters and followers on social media, coming only hours before Real Madrid were due to begin their title campaign. Images showing the finished look were shared online by barber Erikson Souza, who carried out the work.

Souza has previously worked with several high-profile footballers, including fellow Brazilian Neymar. His latest client was Vinicius, one of Real Madrid’s most prominent players, as the forward prepared for the club’s opening league fixture of the season.

The barber runs a salon named after himself in Braga, Portugal. His presence for Vinicius’ appointment in the Spanish capital suggests that he travelled specifically to Madrid to prepare the Real Madrid player’s appearance before the start of the campaign.

Vinicius and his colleagues are preparing to visit Espanyol for a match at the Catalan club’s home ground in Barcelona. The fixture forms part of the second round of La Liga and represents Real Madrid’s first official appearance in the competition this season.

The change in appearance comes as Vinicius prepares to begin another campaign at Real Madrid, with attention now turning from his off-field presentation to the team’s opening league challenge. The Brazil international will be part of the squad travelling to Barcelona as Real Madrid seek to make their first match of the new La Liga season a successful one.

The images posted by Souza offered supporters an early glimpse of Vinicius before he appeared in Real Madrid colours for the new campaign. The haircut and beard trim were carried out in advance of the team’s departure, linking the player’s preparations in Madrid with the Portuguese barber’s work in Braga.

Although the change was personal rather than connected to the match itself, it quickly became a talking point among Vinicius’ followers. His new appearance was made public before Real Madrid’s meeting with Espanyol, ensuring that the forward’s first appearance of the season would be preceded by a fresh look as well as a new competitive beginning.