Vinicius: "We have a very strong squad and are ready for any challenge at the World Cup"

Brazil international Vinicius Junior, a Real Madrid player, expressed his ambition and confidence in his national team's ability to achieve positive results at the 2026 World Cup. Speaking in an interview with FIFA's official website, Vinicius said: "I don't pay much attention to who the favorites are, because in the end, we have to do our best and achieve the results ourselves. We had an excellent team in the last World Cup and lost narrowly, but ultimately, we didn't achieve our goal."

Regarding the pressure of playing for the Brazilian national team, he added: "There's a lot of pressure in football, especially with the national team. It's been a very long time since we won the World Cup. We know the pressure on the pitch will be immense, but staying calm off it can help us perform better."

Discussing the working atmosphere within the squad, he explained: "It's not just about football; it's about creating and maintaining a comfortable environment where everyone feels at ease. We've been working with the coach for a few months now, and we are improving technically and tactically, so by the time the World Cup kicks off, we will be fully prepared."

He also commented on the coach's style: "Football can sometimes seem very complicated, but there are people like Ancelotti who come in and make everything seem simple."

He also touched upon the Brazilian national team's playing style, stating: "Currently, all teams strive to be strong as a single unit. Everyone tracks back to defend, and in attack, it gives us the freedom to move, interchange positions, and play in our distinctive Brazilian style."

He concluded by emphasizing the importance of teamwork: "We have a very strong squad, with many players capable of turning the tide of a match." The Real Madrid player added: "But we've learned that the tournament is short and demanding, so we need everyone's combined efforts. When one or two players get injured, as happened in the last World Cup, it can mentally affect the team, so we must be ready for any challenge we might face."

It is worth noting that the Brazilian national team is in Group C of the World Cup, alongside Morocco, Scotland, and Haiti.