2016 BRICS U-17 cup In Goa first brought Vinicius Jr to India
Sep 11, 2026
AI GeneratedMay contain errors
Moving on now, BRICS leaders gathered in New Delhi for the 18th Summit.
But sports has quietly been writing this block's story for nearly a decade.
And one of football's biggest stars has a BRICS and India connection.
Brazil and Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr. first announced himself on the world stage
at the BRICS Under-17 Cup in Goa back in 2016.
When India last hosted the BRICS Summit in 2016, well,
Goa staged the first ever BRICS Under-17 Football Cup.
Five nations, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa competed alongside the diplomacy.
Well, in that Brazil scored was a 16-year-old named Vinicius Jr.
He scored against India's Under-17 team in Goa and finished the tournament with four goals
and walked away with the top scorer award as Brazil lifted the title.
Within two years, Real Madrid came calling.
And the teenager from that BRICS tournament in Goa is now one of world football's biggest names.
BRICS sporting ties have since grown into the BRICS Games, which last took place in 2024.
So as world leaders convene in New Delhi this week, it's notable
that the block's sporting platform gave rise to a generational football star.