The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) appointed Brazilian footballer Vinicius Junior as its "goodwill ambassador for education for all on Friday,
The 23-year-old forward for Real Madrid expressed his profound gratitude at the ceremony held at the club's training ground in Madrid, describing the designation as "more than an honor."
Vinicius emphasised that being a UNESCO representative is not just an accomplishment but a lifelong responsibility that he is committed to carrying. He articulated, "Of course, I want to be recognized as a great player, but also as a citizen who tried to make a difference."
UNESCO Chief Audrey Azoulay cited Vinicius as an exceptional football player and a dedicated advocate for equal educational opportunities in Brazil. The young footballer, who has faced racial slurs in Spain, has emerged as a prominent figure in the anti-racism movement within the sport.
In 2021, he established the Instituto Vini Jr. to assist underprivileged children and teenagers from Brazilian neighbourhoods in returning to school.
Despite encountering challenges, including racial discrimination, Vinicius finished sixth in the Ballon d'Or voting last year and received the Socrates Award for his humanitarian efforts.
The institute he founded aims to address the issue of 250 million children and teenagers globally who lack access to education, with social inequality identified as a major factor contributing to their dropout rates.
Vinicius, who was signed by Real Madrid from Flamengo for 45 million euros as a teenager, has committed to remaining with the Spanish club until 2027.
