Carlo Ancelotti, the head coach of Brazil’s national football team, has expressed strong confidence in Vinícius Júnior’s abilities. He believes the Real Madrid winger will perform exceptionally in crucial matches and is poised for a standout showing at the World Cup.
Ancelotti on Vinícius Júnior’s Performance
In the current season, Vinícius Júnior has demonstrated impressive statistics with 13 goals and eight assists across 41 matches for Real Madrid. However, it is notable that he has not scored in the last four games. Recently, he missed a penalty in a significant 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the Champions League’s round-of-16 opener.
Confidence in Big Matches
Speaking to Radio Marca ahead of the Champions League return leg against Manchester City, Ancelotti fondly recalled his experiences coaching Vinícius at Madrid. He stated, “Vinícius has never failed in important matches. I can’t recall a single semifinal or quarterfinal where Vini has failed to deliver.”
Notable Contributions to Real Madrid
Vinícius had a memorable performance in the 2022 Champions League final, where he scored the only goal in a vital 1-0 victory against Liverpool. Additionally, he netted a goal in Madrid’s successful 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the 2024 Champions League title game.
- Current season stats for Vinícius Júnior:
- Goals: 13
- Assists: 8
- Matches: 41
- Missed penalty against Manchester City in Champions League.
- Last four matches: No goals scored.
A Minor Setback
Ancelotti mentioned a rare instance where Vinícius lost composure. During a league match against Valencia last season, he received a red card for an altercation with goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski. Ancelotti said, “Maybe Vinícius got frustrated in Valencia when he lost his focus, but he’s never done that in important games.”
Looking Ahead to the World Cup
With the World Cup approaching, Ancelotti remains confident in Vinícius’s talent and mindset. He concluded, “I’m convinced he’ll have a great World Cup if he’s in the squad. Vinícius is humble, cheerful, and has extraordinary talent.”
