A member of the Brazilian team that reached the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, in Qatar, Vinicius Junior reaches his second World Cup in a very different scenario. Previously a supporting player who treated the team’s owner, Neymar, with reverence, the striker will arrive in North America as Brazil’s biggest name.
Close to turning 26 – his birthday will be the Sunday before the final –, the Rio de Janeiro native from São Gonçalo is aware that his responsibility has grown. The response to this demand will dictate its historic size in the national team and in football itself, which is experiencing a symbolic moment of passing the baton.
This transition has been in progress since the end of the last decade, it is true, but the 2026 World Cup, it seems, will be the last for Argentine Lionel Messi, 38, and Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, the main footballers on the planet for much of this century. If they are still capable of performing at a high level and fighting for the World Cup title, there are also young people hungry for the throne.
At 27, Frenchman Kylian Mbappé already has an impressive CV, with 12 goals in the World Cup, two finals and one title. Spaniard Lamine Yamal, 18, has undeniable talent. And there is Vinicius, willing to guide the football country back to the promised land.
“Before, I was a promise. Now I’m on the front line, leading the team and trying to take Brazil to the top of football,” he said. “There’s a lot of pressure on the team, it’s been a while since we won the World Cup. Keeping calm can make us better.”
The boy from São Gonçalo has repeatedly demonstrated his ability with the Real Madrid shirt. After a difficult start at the Spanish club, he established himself as one of its stars. And he showed decision-making power in huge games: he scored the 2021/22 Champions League title goal and also scored in the 2023/24 decision triumph.
Acclaimed by critics as the best player of 2024, he lost the title of best in the world in the most prestigious award, the Ballon d’Or, from France Football magazine, to Spanish Rodri, from Manchester City. He won the FIFA (International Football Federation) vote, which sounded like a consolation prize.
He attributed the defeat to his fight against racism – of which he is a recurring victim in European camps. Insulted, the boy from São Gonçalo dances provocatively when celebrating his goals and is insulted again. “Baila, Vini” became a cry from her supporters and the name of the Netflix documentary that portrays her trajectory.
Junior has already danced a lot under the command of the Italian Carlo Ancelotti, the coach who made him blossom at Real Madrid. Ancelotti took over the Brazilian team last year and is counting on the football from Rio de Janeiro to lead Brazil to the sixth, 24 years after the fifth.
“I learned a lot from him. He arrived at the club when I was 21 and gave me the confidence I needed. He is, by far, the best coach I’ve ever had. He’s one of the greatest in football, if not the greatest,” said the striker.
Compliments are reciprocal. As he did at Real Madrid, Carletto tries to give strength to Vini in the green-yellow team. The Italian refuses to call up Neymar, although he publicly maintains good relations with the old owner of the number 10 shirt, and encourages the new protagonist to spread his wings.
In the 2022 World Cup, while revering Neymar and eating golden steak – the visit to the restaurant of the famous chef Salt Bae, in Doha, generated a barrage of criticism –, Vinicius Junior scored a goal and provided two assists. Now, at the World Cup to be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, more is expected.
