Brazil need to get the best out of Vinicius Jr, says Carlo Ancelotti

New Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti during a training session ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Ecuador. PHOTO: REUTERS

UPDATED Jun 05, 2025, 12:13 PM

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SAO PAULO – Brazil must help Vinicius Jr rediscover the form he has displayed at Real Madrid, new national team coach Carlo Ancelotti said on June 4.

Ancelotti, who guided the Spanish giants to several titles alongside the Brazilian forward, including two Champions League triumphs and two La Liga crowns, said that the player’s unique ability to unsettle opposing defences made him a vital asset.

“I don’t know if he’s been at his best here, but he has time to do what he does at Real Madrid,” he said ahead of Brazil’s World Cup qualifying match against Ecuador on June 5 (June 6, Singapore time) – his first match in charge of the national team.

“For us, he’s a fundamental player. We have to work to ensure he performs at his best here.”

Vinicius made his World Cup debut in Qatar in 2022 and has been a regular during their qualifying campaign for the 2026 tournament. However, he has struggled for form with the national team, falling short of his usual standards at Real.

Regarding his tactical approach, Ancelotti stated that he aims to field a compact, balanced team.

“I don’t want a team with a clear identity. We have to defend well, whether it’s 4-3-3 or 4-4-2. We have to defend together and use creativity with the ball,” the Italian said.

“Individual quality is not enough today; you have to combine it with attitude, drive and commitment.”

He did not reveal his starting line-up for his debut as coach, but he did have words of praise for 18-year-old Estevao, who is leaving Palmeiras for Chelsea and has been tipped for a bright future with the national team.

“He’s got a special talent... he’s got character, he’s a good person, he’s humble, and he seems fine to me, but with a young player we have to be patient and careful. He has the characteristics to be very important for the future of the national team,” Ancelotti said.

Brazil are fourth in the standings for the South American World Cup qualifiers, while their opponents Ecuador are second, behind world champions Argentina. The top six qualify directly for the World Cup.

They will host Paraguay in Sao Paulo next week and could secure an early spot at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, meanwhile, said he had yet to decide whether captain Lionel Messi would start in their next qualifier against Chile, as he continues to closely monitor the 37-year-old’s fitness.

With their place at the Finals already secured, Argentina travel to face bottom-placed Chile on June 5 without several regulars and with Messi’s role uncertain.

“We’ve been in contact (with Messi) recently. We haven’t decided yet whether he’ll play from the start or not. It would be good to know how he’s feeling physically,” Scaloni said.

“In principle, he’s available to play, and we’ll decide later.”

With a number of key players sidelined by injury or suspension, Scaloni called it a chance to test new talent ahead of their World Cup title defence next summer.

“We’re going to have a lot of players out. If some of the guys we call up are fit and ready to play, they’ll get their chance,” he said.

“I don’t have the starting eleven confirmed yet, but we will give some playing time to players who haven’t played much and who we believe are ready to play.

“Although the result is always important, we don’t think it’s crucial today. We’ll probably try to help these players settle in and give them the chance to get some playing time with the team.” REUTERS

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