The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced today, Friday, the appointment of Vinicius Junior as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNESCO's Education for All initiative. The announcement was made during a celebration held at the club's training center, making Vinicius the second Brazilian player to become a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador after Pelé.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay stated, "Vinicius Junior is not only an exceptional player but has also been committed since a young age to promoting equal opportunities through education in Brazil. He serves as a role model for an entire generation, and UNESCO is honored to have him as one of our Goodwill Ambassadors."
The player remarked, "I have been fighting for education since I was 19, and until this year, my personal resources were all that was available to me, but my institute is growing month by month in Brazil. With the strength of UNESCO, we will have an impact in the world." Vinicius (23 years old) established an institute bearing his name in 2021 to promote education among Brazilian children and teenagers in underprivileged neighborhoods.