Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged the challenge facing Brazil at the World Cup: "People sometimes say Brazil don't have a star right now. Maybe that's true. We don't have a Pelé, a Romario or a Ronaldo, but we can have a shared sense of responsibility, and that can be a very powerful thing." The remark came as Brazil's manager addressed widespread expectation that Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior would become the Selecao's leading figure.
Such questions have followed Vinicius since Brazil's penalty shoot-out exit against Croatia in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final. Following a 2-1 defeat by France in March 2026, Brazilian media intensified debate over whether Vinicius deserved a starting place. ESPN's Linha de Passe posed the direct question: "Should Vinicius be dropped?" The persistent inquiry remains: why can't Vinicius reproduce his Madrid form with the Selecao?
Vinicius holds the most goal involvements of any Brazil player in this World Cup cycle with 7 goals and 6 assists in 28 matches—a modest return. Cleber Xavier, who worked as Brazil's assistant coach in 2018 and 2022, explained the disparity: "At your club it's different training, a different way of playing, different team-mates. Lionel Messi with Argentina was always questioned about that and only managed to do it in 2022. But that's because Argentina managed to build a team."
Brazil face Morocco on June 14 in their World Cup opener, with Ancelotti seeking to end the nation's 24-year championship drought. The verdict on whether Vinicius can finally silence critics begins in New Jersey.
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