Brazilian winger Vinícius Júnior has urged caution regarding Brazil’s prospects at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stressing that the team must earn success on the pitch rather than relying on reputation or expectations. The Real Madrid star spoke at a press conference ahead of Brazil’s friendly match against France tomorrow.
“We are not the favourites to win the World Cup,” Vinícius said, emphasising the importance of preparation and performance over external predictions. He highlighted the collective strength of the squad, mentioning emerging talents such as Endrick and Estevão alongside elished players like Raphinha and Joao Pedro.
Vinícius also addressed his club future, reaffirming his desire to remain at Real Madrid despite ongoing contract talks. His current deal runs until 2027, and negotiations over an extension have yet to be finalised. The Brazilian has regained top form following managerial ces involving Xabi Alonso and Álvaro Arbeloa, playing a key role in Madrid’s resurgence.
Speaking about working under Carlo Ancelotti, Vinícius praised the coach’s collaborative approach. “The coach always talks to the players. He asks us about the position we want to play, how we prefer to defend, but the final decision is his. This conversation is important for us because we always learn from him,” he said.
Looking ahead to the World Cup, Vinícius acknowledged the pressure on him as a central figure but stressed the team’s collective potential, including set pieces as a decisive factor. Brazil are drawn in Group C alongside Morocco Haita and Scotland. The last time Brazil won the tournament was in 2002, while in the previous edition they were eliminated by Croatia in the quarter finals.
Tomorrow’s friendly against France will serve as a key test for Brazil, potentially seeing Vinícius face club teammates Kylian Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni as he continues fine tuning his preparations for the tournament.
Leave a comment