The pressure is enormous. The wait has been painful. But for the first time in years, Brazil feels different — and Vinicius Jr is at the heart of it.

Four years ago in Qatar, Vinicius arrived as a promising wonderkid in a team of superstars. Now, heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he returns as one of the planet’s biggest names — a Ballon d’Or contender, a leader, and the man expected to carry the Seleção back to the summit of world football.

“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. 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.”

That responsibility has never been heavier. Brazil have not lifted the World Cup since 2002 — a 24-year drought that feels like an eternity for the most successful nation in tournament history. Two consecutive quarter-final exits, inconsistent coaching changes, and a fading idenтιтy left fans frustrated and the team searching for its soul.

Then, in May 2025, everything changed.

Carlo Ancelotti arrived. The same man who turned Vinicius from a raw talent into a global superstar at Real Madrid. The reunion couldn’t have come at a better moment.

Vinicius doesn’t hide his admiration. “He is by far the best coach I’ve ever had. He is one of the greatest in football, if not the greatest.” He even laughs when admitting he’s “biased” — but the results speak louder than any bias.

Under Ancelotti, Brazil have found something they desperately needed: calm in the storm.

“There is a lot of pressure in football, especially with the national team,” Vinicius explains. “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.”

Ancelotti has created an environment where players feel free yet focused. No rigid systems. No over-complication. Just pure, intelligent football that lets Brazil’s natural flair shine again.

“Football can sometimes seem very complicated,” Vinicius says, “but there are people like Ancelotti who come in and make everything feel simple.”

The Italian coach gives the team freedom to rotate, to express themselves, to attack in waves while staying solid as a unit — exactly the balance that made Real Madrid unstoppable. “He loves Brazilian players,” Vinicius reveals with a smile. “That’s why he’s here. He always told me he wouldn’t coach any other national team.”

Now the focus is sharp. Brazil open Group C against Morocco on 13 June at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey — the same venue that will host the final. A tough start, but also the perfect stage for a statement.

Vinicius knows the squad is loaded with talent capable of turning any game on its head. But he also understands the lesson from past failures: talent alone is never enough.

“We have a very strong squad, with plenty of players who can turn the game on its head. 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, it can affect the team mentally. We need to be prepared for whatever adversity comes our way.”

This Brazil side is no longer just chasing results — they’re chasing idenтιтy. They’re chasing joy. They’re chasing that unmistakable Canarinho magic that once ruled the world.

And at the centre of it all stands Vinicius Jr — no longer the young prospect, but the leader ready to inspire a nation.

The path is clear. The reunion is complete. The flair is back.

For Brazil and Vinicius, the 2026 World Cup isn’t just another tournament.

It’s the beginning of their redemption story.