Vinicius Jr marked his return to Real Madrid's pre-season lineup with a new look, having undergone chin harmonization surgery. The Brazilian forward played his first match since the procedure in a friendly against LaLiga counterparts Deportivo La Coruna, which Real Madrid won 1-0. He was substituted in the 71st minute.
The winger's facial procedure took place weeks after Brazil's exit from the World Cup. According to Brazilian outlet TMC, Vinicius Jr visited a dermatologist in Goiania upon his return to Brazil after a vacation. Photos circulating on social media have shown the 26-year-old with a visibly altered appearance, credited to fillers used to sculpt his facial contour.
This development follows a summer where Vinicius Jr's future at Real Madrid was a subject of speculation, with links to Arsenal. However, these rumors were put to rest earlier in August when he signed a new six-year contract with the club, extending his commitment until 2032. Real Madrid released a statement highlighting his importance to the club's recent successes.
Vinicius Jr joined Real Madrid from Flamengo in 2018 and has since become a key player. He has made 375 appearances across all competitions, scoring 128 goals and contributing to two Champions League titles and three La Liga championships. His return to training last week followed his World Cup campaign with Brazil, which ended in the last-16 stage.
The match against Deportivo La Coruna saw Real Madrid secure the Teresa Herrera Trophy. 
