At the World Cup, Vinícius Júnior finds himself donning the Brazil jersey but not the iconic No. 10 that has been worn by legends like Pelé and Neymar. Currently, that esteemed shirt belongs to Neymar, who, despite his injury struggles, continues to be a focal point for the team.
Neymar, now 34, has returned to the squad after a stint in Saudi Arabia that yielded little. His ongoing calf injury raises concerns over his fitness, a recurring theme throughout his World Cup appearances. This time, he is not just sidelined; his presence looms large over the squad, especially for Vinícius Júnior.
While the 25-year-old Vinícius is regarded as Brazil’s current standout player, he has yet to fully claim the spotlight. With only nine goals in 49 international appearances before this tournament, he has struggled in major competitions. Fans still rally around Neymar, whose jersey was prominently displayed during Brazil’s recent match against Morocco.
Despite being visibly limited, Neymar made an appearance before the match, receiving cheers from the crowd. He wore a backwards cap, reminiscent of his earlier days, and attempted to guide the team from the sidelines. Yet, it was Vinícius’s moment to seize the stage in this crucial group stage match against another top-10 FIFA team.
Vinícius Delivers When It Counts
Under the watchful eyes of Brazilian legends like Ronaldo and Kaká, Vinícius rose to the occasion and played a pivotal role for coach Carlo Ancelotti, who has nurtured his development at Real Madrid. Named man of the match, Vinícius’s performance, though debated, included a critical equalizing goal that reinvigorated Brazil after a sluggish start.
In the first half, Brazilian players frequently called for more support from their fans, who vastly outnumbered the Moroccan supporters. Their underwhelming performance was shocking for a team that reached the semi-finals in the last World Cup, a feat they have not achieved on foreign soil in nearly twenty-five years.
“The team was a bit anxious and at the beginning nerves were all over the place,”
said Ancelotti after the match. “In the second half we did a lot better.”
Vinícius was a constant threat on the left flank, showcasing his speed and skill. In one notable play, he outmaneuvered his club rival Achraf Hakimi before delivering a cross that narrowly evaded Igor Thiago. Later, he received a clever pass from Bruno Guimarães, cut inside to create a better angle, and finished past Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, equalizing after Ismael Saibari’s earlier goal.
Although his goal came from a chance with a low expected goal value, it was crucial for Brazil’s confidence. After the goal, Brazil settled into a more composed rhythm while Morocco adopted a defensive posture. Much of Brazil’s attacking threat originated from Vinícius, who frequently created space but often found himself without teammates to connect with.
“I believe I can improve a lot, I managed to score a goal, but I didn’t have 100% of my best technical part,”
lamented Morocco’s manager, Mohamed Ouahbi.
While not flawless, Vinícius’s contributions were vital. He made mistakes and lost possession at times, yet when Brazil needed that spark, he delivered. His performance augurs well for the five-time champions, who will rely on his talent as the tournament progresses, especially in a setting as fitting as North Jersey.
