Vinicius Junior says Brazil are not just preparing for the World Cup, they are changing. The Real Madrid forward said Carlo Ancelotti is helping the team build “a clear playing identity” as Brazil try to settle into a shape that can carry them into the tournament.
That matters because Vinicius is being viewed as one of Brazil’s central figures now, with Neymar once again battling injury problems and leaving more of the burden on the 24-year-old. Brazil World Cup Squad talk has sharpened around who can lead the side, and Vinicius has answered with a reminder that the process is already under way. “Finding that balance before the World Cup will be crucial,” he said.
Vinicius added that the team must switch fully into tournament mode. “We all have to get into the World Cup mindset and understand that our opportunity has arrived,” he said, casting Brazil’s next steps as less about experimentation and more about finalising an identity that can survive the pressure of the competition.
The comments also underline how far Vinicius has come. Born on July 12, 2000, in São Gonçalo near Rio de Janeiro, he came through Flamengo’s youth system before Real Madrid signed him in 2017 in a deal reportedly worth around 45 million euros. He later scored the winner in the 2021-22 Champions League final against Liverpool, a reminder of how quickly he has moved from prospect to match-winner.
His rise has changed the way Brazil looks at him. The article describes him as increasingly important for the national team, with comparisons to Neymar, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo following him as he became one of the most decisive players in world football. But the immediate issue is less about reputation than timing: Brazil need a stable plan, and Neymar’s recurring injury problems have pushed even more responsibility onto Vinicius as the World Cup approaches.
Ancelotti’s role is central to that shift. Vinicius said the coach has done the same thing everywhere he has managed, building confidence and getting the best from players in their ideal positions. He added that Ancelotti’s dream is to make the Brazilian people happy, bring back the joyful football that defines Brazil and win the World Cup. That is the standard now. If Brazil find the balance Vinicius is talking about, the squad debate will look very different by the time the tournament begins. If they do not, the side may arrive with a marquee name and still not know exactly what it wants to be.
