00:00Without a doubt, the 2026 World Cup depends on Vinícius Júnior's performance.
00:04He is the standout player for the Brazilian National Team in this edition of the World Cup.
00:08It was crucial for the Brazilian national team to qualify in first place in Group C during this group stage.
00:14Without a doubt, Vini Júnior is one of the big names on Carlo Ancelotti's team.
00:18In this edition of the World Cup, Vini managed to definitively assume the leading role in the Brazilian National Team.
00:23That was on the substitutes' bench in the last match.
00:25The Brazilian national team relied on Neymar, who in recent years has always been the star player of the Seleção.
00:30This time, in the starting lineup, Vini Júnior managed to take on what had been expected of him for a long time.
00:35This leading role while wearing the Brazilian national team jersey.
00:38It's true that Vini Júnior did very well in the 2022 World Cup.
00:41He was important in the national team's campaign, in the debut, important in Richardson's goals.
00:45But even so, he hadn't yet cemented his name as a major player for that national team.
00:50And this is happening in 2026.
00:53To understand this scenario, it's necessary to go back in time and recall Vini Júnior's career.
00:57since his time in Flamengo's youth academy, where he already stood out as a great dribbler in one-on-one situations,
01:02sprinter.
01:03And then, over the years, it was perfected.
01:06He arrives in Europe still as a gem to be polished, so much so that he initially goes to Real Madrid B, to
01:11Castile.
01:12And in a short time he manages to catch the attention of the professional and moves up to the main team.
01:17He had opportunities with Zidane, but it was with Antelotte at Real Madrid that he truly became the Vini he is today.
01:22Junior.
01:22The guy up front of the goal is decisive, a finisher, he's managed to bring that finishing quality to the team.
01:28Which for a long time also had a critical tone from the Spanish media,
01:34Some of his teammates also understood that he needed to improve his finishing.
01:38And today, in the Brazilian National Team, we can see that very clearly.
01:42If we could summarize this moment of Vini Júnior with the Brazilian National Team,
01:45It largely depends on the leading role he assumed and also, of course, on the finishing technique he perfected over the years.
01:51And that, at this moment, is causing this wonderful result, so to speak, for the Brazilian National Team.
01:56And that leaves the fans hopeful for this knockout stage of the World Cup.
02:00To relive that moment, Lança spoke with some people who witnessed it firsthand.
02:04Vini Júnior's work in both the professional and youth levels is also noteworthy.
02:07One of the figures was Maurício Barbieri, who coached Vini Júnior in Flamengo's professional team.
02:11He followed this trajectory of his from the youth academy, already sold to Real Madrid.
02:15But even in Flamengo's professional team, he already showed signs that he would be a great player.
02:18And Barbieri highlighted some of these characteristics for us.
02:21Another important figure linked to Flamengo, Real Madrid, and the Brazilian National Team.
02:25It was Sávio, a former player for those clubs and the national team.
02:28who also followed Vini's development at Real Madrid,
02:30who, as I said, since his arrival in Castilla, was already showing some signs that he would be a great player.
02:34but he needed to improve all of these aspects in order to play his best football.
02:40Andrade, a former Flamengo player, also spoke with Lança.
02:43A legend of the 1981 champion team and also with a background in marketing for the Brazilian National Team,
02:46who also saw Vini Júnior's leading role as very important for the Brazilian National Team,
02:50because the national team needed a player, a reference point on the field,
02:54And Vini Júnior is the best player in the world, right?
02:55He already had this leading role outside of the national team, and now, with the yellow jersey,
02:59He is able to handle this attribute associated with him very well.
03:02But Vini Júnior's story isn't solely defined by his finishing ability.
03:06of being the star player, but also of being the star player off the field.
03:09Vini Júnior also had to deal with a significant pain,
03:11which was the issue of racism that he suffered in Spain,
03:14In short, very delicate situations, which also greatly shaped him and led to his maturity.
03:19Very early on, Vini Júnior, 25 years old, a young player,
03:22and yet, all the battles he faced both on and off the field,
03:25They ensured he matured and, of course, that he's now in the Brazilian National Team.
03:28to become the great reference for the younger generation as well as the more experienced.
03:32This World Cup is always interesting because we hear from past generations.
03:36The older crowd, watching Vini Júnior represent the Brazilian National Team well.
03:39...and even change their opinion, because when that fan who isn't very well-informed...
03:43There was the Brazilian National Team, I watched Vini Júnior on the National Team and I would say,
03:46Look, this isn't the Vini Júnior I hear my son talking about when he's talking about Real Madrid.
03:49So, this issue, this World Cup for Vini Júnior
03:51which is also essential for him to showcase his range of options,
03:55Your letters to all Brazilian fans who are confident.
03:58This is the case with Vini Júnior, who is currently the star player for the Brazilian National Team.
04:02And there
