New Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti said the team must help Vinicius Jr find the same form he shows at Real Madrid. Ancelotti, who coached Vinicius at Real and won titles like the Champions League and LaLiga with him, believes the forward is very important because he can trouble any defence.
“I’m not sure if he’s played his best for Brazil yet, but he still has time to show what he can do, like he does at Madrid,” Ancelotti said before Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Ecuador, his first match as Brazil’s coach.
“He’s a key player for us. We need to support him so he can perform his best,” he added.
Vinicius played in his first World Cup in 2022 and has been part of Brazil’s team during the qualifiers for the 2026 tournament. But his performance for the national team hasn’t been as strong as it is for Real Madrid.
Ancelotti also said he wants Brazil to play with a solid and balanced team.
“I don’t want my team to have just one fixed style,” he said. “No matter if we play 4-3-3 or 4-4-2, we need to defend well as a team. And when we have the ball, we should use our creativity.”
He added, “Having skill alone is not enough anymore. Players also need to show the right attitude, energy, and commitment.”
He didn’t say who would be in the starting lineup for his first match as coach. However, he praised 18-year-old Estevao, who is moving from Palmeiras to Chelsea and is seen as a future star for Brazil.
“He’s a special talent,” the coach said. “He has a good attitude, is a humble person, and seems ready. But since he’s still young, we need to be patient and take care of his development. He has what it takes to be very important for Brazil’s future.”
Brazil are currently in fourth place in the South American World Cup qualifiers. Their next opponent, Ecuador, is in second place, just behind Argentina. The top six teams from the group will go straight to the World Cup.
Next week, Brazil will play Paraguay in São Paulo. A win could help them secure an early spot in the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
