Real Madrid forward Vinícius Jr. made his first pre-season appearance for the club on August 13, 2026, marking his return to football following cosmetic surgery on his chin. The Brazilian player underwent the procedure, described as chin harmonisation, after the World Cup.
Vinícius Jr. started in Real Madrid's match against LaLiga counterparts Deportivo La Coruña, which the team won 1-0. Brahim Díaz scored the decisive goal in first-half stoppage time. Vinícius Jr. was substituted in the 71st minute for Jorge Cestero. The match was part of the Teresa Herrera Trophy competition.
The surgical procedure, which reportedly uses fillers to enhance facial contours, was performed in Goiânia, Brazil. Photos of Vinícius Jr. post-surgery have circulated on social media, with some fans noting a significant change in his appearance. The player posed with the surgeon, Dr. Alessandro Alarcão, in one widely shared image.
His return to the field comes after Brazil's exit from the World Cup in the Round of 16, where they were defeated by Norway. Following the tournament and a brief vacation in Europe, Vinícius Jr. returned to Brazil and proceeded with the cosmetic procedure.
This summer also saw speculation regarding Vinícius Jr.'s future at Real Madrid, with reports linking him to a potential move to Arsenal. However, these rumors were put to rest earlier in August when he signed a new six-year contract with Real Madrid, extending his tenure until 2032. The club statement highlighted his importance during a successful period in Real Madrid's history.
Vinícius Jr. joined Real Madrid from Brazilian club Flamengo in 2018. Across all competitions for the club, he has scored 128 goals in 375 appearances, contributing to two Champions League titles, three La Liga titles, and one Copa del Rey. He had returned to club training the previous week for his first pre-season session and medical assessment after the World Cup campaign with the Brazilian national team.