Vinicius Jr., one of soccer’s most dazzling talents and a cornerstone of Real Madrid’s present and future, may soon find himself facing a crisis no defender has ever presented him: a potential two-year ban from soccer. But what’s even more shocking than the possible suspension is the reason behind it—a situation that straddles the lines of business, ethics, and regulatory oversight in the modern game.
There’s no questioning Vinicius’ importance to Real Madrid. The 24-year-old Brazilian has been in scintillating form, scoring 21 goals and delivering 15 assists in 47 matches across all competitions this season. His performances have not only made him indispensable to Carlo Ancelotti’s setup but also elevated his global profile. With a contract that runs until 2027 and a current market value of $228 million, he is widely seen as one of the pillars of Los Blancos’ next great era.
However, a storm has been brewing off the pitch, and it now threatens to throw his career into turmoil.
FIFA investigates: Ownership conflict raises red flags
The drama began when Tiberis Holding do Brasil, a Brazilian company, filed a formal complaint with FIFA’s Ethics Committee on April 7. According to Marca, the complaint targets Vinicius Jr. for violating FIFA’s ethics regulations—specifically, the rule that prohibits active professional players from owning stakes in soccer clubs.
“Vinicius Junior is registered as the owner of several professional soccer clubs, which may violate international soccer rules,” reported Marca. The complaint alleges that this ownership is facilitated through a company called ALL Agenciamento Esportivo, which is managed by the player’s father and agent, Thassilo Soares.
The most high-profile acquisition under scrutiny is that of Athletic Club de Sao Joao del Rei, a Brazilian side recently promoted to Serie B. Tiberis, which previously owned 16.5% of the club, claims that it was denied its right of first refusal when shares were sold to ALL. Despite a Sao Paulo court temporarily halting the sale and initiating arbitration, the company linked to Vinicius reportedly took operational control of the club anyway.
In addition to this, Vinicius is also linked to Portuguese side Alverca, raising further concerns about cross-border player transfers and competitive integrity. One such instance saw a player—Rafael Conceicao—move on loan from Sao Joao del Rei to Alverca, a transaction that reportedly intensified FIFA’s interest in the case.
What are the possible consequences?
According to the complaint, these actions may violate Article 20 of FIFA’s Ethics Code and Article 22 of Spain’s sporting regulations, both of which aim to prevent conflicts of interest and maintain competitive balance in global soccer.
“The maximum penalty for such a violation is a two-year suspension,” Marca states. While a ban is the most severe option on the table, other penalties—such as heavy financial fines or a forced sale of ownership stakes—are also being considered.
“This FIFA investigation and its outcome are of great interest not only to the player but also to the entire soccer world,” the report adds. “Vinicius’ disqualification could seriously affect Real Madrid’s plans for the current and future seasons”. Currently, FIFA has not issued an official ruling, but they are reviewing the complaint. All eyes are now on the Ethics Committee and what precedent this case could set for the sport.
