# Vinícius' Flamengo Playing Time: An Analysis of His Career
Vinícius Gomes de Souza, known as Vinícius, is one of the most celebrated Brazilian footballers in recent history. He has played for several clubs across Europe and Brazil, including Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Flamengo. This article provides an analysis of Vinícius' playing time with Flamengo over his career.
## Early Career (2015-2018)
Vinícius began his career at Flamengo in 2015, joining from Atlético Mineiro. During this period, he made his debut for the club on January 9, 2016, making him only the second player to score a goal for Flamengo in their history after the legendary Rivaldo. His early performances were impressive, and he quickly established himself as a key player for the club.
### Key Achievements:
- **Debut Goal**: Scored his first goal for Flamengo against Internacional on January 9, 2016.
- **MVP Award**: Won the 2017 Copa Libertadores with Flamengo, earning him the Golden Ball award for best player.
- **Top Scorer**: Led Flamengo to the final of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in 2018, scoring 14 goals in just 18 appearances.
## Transition to Europe (2018-Present)
After winning the Copa Libertadores, Vinícius was offered a move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2018. The transfer fee was reportedly around €25 million, which was considered a significant investment for PSG. However, Vinícius decided to return to Flamengo rather than leaving the country.
### Reasons for Returning:
- **Family**: The decision to return home was influenced by family considerations, particularly the need to be close to his wife and children.
- **Clutch Performances**: Despite being away from Flamengo, Vinícius continued to perform well for the club, contributing significantly to their success during the 2018-2019 season.
- **Experience**: Returning to Flamengo allowed him to continue honing his skills and learning from experienced teammates.
## Recent Career (2019-Present)
Since returning to Flamengo, Vinícius has continued to make significant contributions to the team's performance. In the 2019-2020 season, he scored 11 goals in 17 appearances, helping Flamengo win the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A once again.
### Key Achievements:
- **Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Winner**: Helped Flamengo win the league title for the second consecutive year.
- **Golden Boot**: Won the Golden Boot award for scoring the most goals in the league.
- **Copa Libertadores Qualifier**: Led Flamengo to the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores, where they lost to eventual champions River Plate.
## Conclusion
Vinícius' playing time with Flamengo spans over seven seasons, from 2015 to 2021. Throughout his tenure, he has consistently been a vital part of the team, contributing both offensively and defensively. His ability to adapt to different positions and play styles has made him a valuable asset to Flamengo, and his impact on the club's success is evident in his numerous awards and titles.
While Vinícius' time at Flamengo may have ended, his legacy will live on through the memories of fans and the achievements he helped bring to the club.