Vinicius Jr is no stranger to the FIFA World Cup™. However, things couldn’t be more different this time around.
He had only just earned his place in a Seleção side that were among the favourites at Qatar 2022. Four years on, he arrives at the global showpiece as one of the game’s biggest stars, as Brazil look to prove themselves on the pitch.
So how is he dealing with all these changes? Does this new situation bring even more pressure? The Real Madrid superstar does not think so.
“It’s nothing out of the ordinary,” Vinicius told FIFA. “I’ve been playing for the Seleção since I was 19. Before, I was just a wonderkid, but now I’m at the forefront, leading the team and trying to take Brazil back to the top of world football. It is a huge responsibility, and one I truly value.”
Vinicius made his senior debut for Brazil on 11 September 2019, in a rare friendly defeat under Tite: a 1-0 loss to Peru. He then played 15 more matches on the road to the 2022 global finals, but only got a full 90 minutes under his belt on one occasion. He was in the starting XI for all four matches in Qatar when the former head coach fielded his preferred line-up, bagging two assists in total, as well as a goal against Korea Republic in the round of 16.
The Canarinho were eventually knocked out in the quarter-finals for the second consecutive edition of the tournament, this time by Croatia on penalties.
“I don’t pay much attention to who the favourites are, because in the end we have to go out there and make things happen ourselves,” Vinicius admitted. “We had an excellent team at the last World Cup and barely lost, but in the end, we still fell short of our objective.”
After two disappointing World Cup campaigns, Tite stepped down as head coach, ushering in a turbulent period for the Seleção. Three Brazilian coaches took charge in quick succession, but performances and results remained inconsistent, while the team’s identity on the pitch gradually faded away. Then, in May 2025, Carlo Ancelotti arrived straight from Madrid. Since the former Los Blancos legend took the reins, Brazil have registered five wins, three defeats and two draws across qualifiers and friendlies.
Beyond the results, Vinicius is uniquely placed to offer insight into the Italian coach’s methods – and how they could influence the national team’s performances.
When speaking about Don Carlo, he is quick to admit he is “biased”. That comes as no surprise; it was under Ancelotti’s tutelage that the Brazilian forward reached new heights and went on to win The Best FIFA Men’s Player Award in 2024. This immediate reunion could not have come at a better time for Brazil.
“I learnt a great deal from him, because he arrived at the club when I was 21,” said Vinicius. “He gave me the confidence I needed. Every year I worked with him was very special – he is by far the best coach I’ve ever had. He is one of the greatest in football, if not the greatest.”
Even with that caveat, the Brazilian emphasised the calmness and confidence Ancelotti instils on a daily basis – qualities he believes the national team were in dire need of when the Italian took over.
“There is a lot of pressure in football, especially with the national team,” he said. “It’s been a very long time since we won the World Cup. We know the pressure on the pitch will be enormous, but staying calm off it can help us perform better.
“It’s not just about the football – he creates and maintains a relaxed atmosphere where everyone feels at ease. We’ve been working with the coach for a few months now; we’re improving both technically and tactically, so by the time the World Cup gets under way, we’ll be raring to go.”
According to Vinicius, Ancelotti has struck a balance between a lighter atmosphere and the seriousness that comes with representing the Seleção. It is a balance between environment, talent and performance, much like during the golden years in Madrid. The tactician observes, discusses and refines, without imposing rigid systems.
“Football can sometimes seem very complicated, but there are people like Ancelotti who come in and make everything feel simple,” says the forward.
The focus has now shifted to fine-tuning and final adjustments. Despite the many absences in defence, the recent friendlies against France and Croatia have already given us a clue as to how the Brazilians could shape up.
Ancelotti’s guiding principle is to build a team that can attack in numbers but defend just as effectively without the ball – a message that Vinicius has clearly taken heed of.
“Nowadays all national teams place the emphasis on being strong as a collective unit,” said Vinicius. “Everyone drops back to defend and, in attack, he gives us the freedom to rotate positions and play with our natural Brazilian flair.”
He even went on to reveal a personal insight: “He loves Brazilian players – that’s why he’s here. He always told me he wouldn’t coach any other national team.”
Ancelotti’s hard work and vision will face their first proper test on 13 June, when Brazil open their Group C campaign against Morocco at New York New Jersey Stadium, where the final will also be held.
For both Ancelotti and Vinicius, the pursuit of that elusive sixth world title rests on composure and consistency. The forward knows that he now sets the standard, but he understands that Brazil will need much more to get there.
“We have a very strong squad, with plenty of players who can turn the game on its head,” he said. “But we’ve learnt that the tournament is short yet gruelling, so we need all hands on deck. When one or two players get injured – as was the case at the last World Cup – it can affect the team mentally, so we need to be prepared for whatever adversity comes our way.”
