Vinícius Tobias Finding His Form at Shakhtar Donetsk After Long Journey

"I was the kid who dreamed of joining Shakhtar and making my debut — but then war broke out and everything changed." Those words from 22-year-old Vinícius Tobias sum up a challenging career journey that would break many players' spirits. Now back with Shakhtar Donetsk, this season suggests his patience is paying off.

The Brazilian right-back has registered two goals and three assists across 32 appearances under manager Arda Turan this campaign — an improvement over the six assists in 26 matches he tallied during his first full Shakhtar season last year. Originally signed from Internacional for €6 million as a 17-year-old without a single senior appearance to his name, Tobias is finally justifying a transfer that seemed risky then but appears smart now.

Real Madrid loan proved valuable

After Russia invaded Ukraine and forced Shakhtar's international players to seek temporary clubs in early 2022, Tobias landed at Real Madrid Castilla — not a bad consolation prize. His three seasons there peaked during the 2022-23 campaign under manager Raúl González, where he recorded five assists in 41 matches and helped Castilla reach the promotion playoff final. He even earned a first-team appearance, playing 88 minutes in a Copa del Rey victory against Arandina in January 2024.

Real Madrid held a €15 million buy option but chose not to exercise it. Tobias subsequently signed a contract extension with Shakhtar through 2029 and returned to Ukraine to finally begin the career he'd committed to three years prior.

Understanding Shakhtar's current situation is important. The club plays home Champions League and Conference League fixtures in Kraków, Poland, while domestic matches take place in Lviv — approximately 17 hours by road from their namesake city of Donetsk. After finishing third in the Ukrainian Premier League last season, they currently sit level on 51 points with LNZ Cherkasy atop the table, with a match in hand. The club's rebuilding project is progressing, and Tobias represents a key piece.

Competition for starting role remains fierce

There's one significant hurdle: Tobias hasn't completely won the starting right-back position from Yukhym Konoplia. He's competing rather than controlling the spot. When questioned about the situation, his response was diplomatically team-oriented — "sometimes I'm pleased when he plays, and he's pleased when I play" — but the competitive truth is that Konoplia remains very much in the picture. While Shakhtar's depth at the position reflects positively on squad quality, it presents an ongoing challenge for Tobias to overcome.

In Conference League action, Shakhtar placed sixth in the league phase and eliminated Lech Poznań in the knockout rounds. A victory over AZ Alkmaar would set up a semifinal clash with either Crystal Palace or Fiorentina. A successful European campaign — featuring competitive knockout matches before neutral supporters in Poland — could significantly boost Tobias's reputation, and Shakhtar's chances look solid against an AZ squad that's struggled for consistency in European competitions this term.

His personal story — growing up in a São Paulo favela, leaving home at age 12, passing out during training sessions from hunger — reads like classic underdog material. However, what truly counts now is whether he can secure a permanent starting role at a club that's developed talent like Fred, Fernandinho, and Douglas Costa, part of 46 Brazilians who've collectively scored nearly 1,000 goals in Ukrainian football. That's the benchmark. He understands what's expected.

"I've come back to Shakhtar, and I'm thrilled to be here continuing this dream," he stated. With two goals, three assists, and 32 appearances this season — the dream is very much alive.