Vinícius Júnior launches education app to help poor students in Brazil

11-Oct-2021 11:49:12 | The Guardian

The Real Madrid winger saw what Marcus Rashford was doing in England and set about improving social mobility in Brazil

By Josué Seixas for Yellow and Green Football

Vinícius Júnior has started the season brilliantly, scoring five goals for Real Madrid to help them go top of La Liga. The 21-year-old has also been building a legacy for himself off the pitch. The Brazil forward has set up Instituto Vini Jr, an organisation that aims to use technology and sport to educate young Brazilians and, ultimately, make the country a more equal place.

The quality of public schools in Brazil leaves a lot to be desired. Rich families tend to send their children to expensive private schools, where they are given the best possible chance to reach the country’s federal universities, which are free for students who make the grade. The fact that university education is free in Brazil may suggest that social mobility is available to all but, by paying for their children to attend exclusive private schools, richer parents can effectively game the system.