All posts tagged: Vinicius

What Vinicius Jr finally said about Brazil’s heartbreak at FIFA World Cup 2026

What Vinicius Jr finally said about Brazil’s heartbreak at FIFA World Cup 2026

Published by Webster

2 min readJul 11, 2026 09:05 AM IST Days after Brazil’s heartbreaking exit from the FIFA World Cup 2026, star player Vinícius Júnior broke his silence on a disappointing campaign that saw the five-time champions knocked out in the Round of 16 by Norway. Vinicius said it would be unfair to remain silent after such a frustrating World Cup, describing the feeling as “hard to explain.” “Almost four years later and once again thinking about what to write after a frustration in the World Cup. I saw so many people of all ages supporting me, embracing our dream, that it would be unfair to remain silent,” Vinicius said in a statement on social media. ALSO READ | Brazil’s samba has fallen silent. Norway only exposed the rot “But I needed a few days to reflect. Wearing the national team jersey is the greatest pride of my life, and leaving a World Cup in the Round of 16 is a feeling that’s hard to explain,” added the Real Madrid star. The Round of 16 exit marked …

The penalty that defined Brazil’s World Cup: Was Carlo Ancelotti right to overlook Vinicius Jr?

The penalty that defined Brazil’s World Cup: Was Carlo Ancelotti right to overlook Vinicius Jr?

Published by Parlour News

Brazil’s World Cup campaign ended in heartbreak in New Jersey after a missed penalty proved decisive in a 2-1 defeat to Norway in the Round of 16. Yet, the biggest talking point emerged long before the final whistle. Why wasn’t Vinicius Jr, one of the world’s best attackers, trusted with the spot-kick? Brazil lost 1-2 against Norway in Round of 16 clash After the match, Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti revealed that the penalty order was based on data rather than reputation. The explanation justified why Vinicius was overlooked. But it also raised another question: if statistics mattered so much, was Bruno Guimaraes really Brazil’s best option, especially with Raphinha unavailable through injury? Brazil had the perfect opportunity to seize control when Matheus Cunha was brought down by Kristoffer Ajer early in the first half. As the referee pointed to the spot after a VAR review, many expected Vinicius to take responsibility. The Real Madrid star, who had already scored five goals and registered three assists in the tournament, even stood over the ball before …

With minimalism, speed and touches, Vinicius shows he is Brazil’s figurehead

With minimalism, speed and touches, Vinicius shows he is Brazil’s figurehead

Published by Parlour News

The cameras trailed Vinicius Junior into the tunnel at half time. He turned back with a waspish smile and held up three fingers. He had pinched a pair of goals, but the goal the Video Assistant Referee chalked off, unjustifiably for him, was incensing him. Before he passed to the tunnel, he stopped beside the assistant referee and wagged his index finger with a sarcastic smile. The disallowed goal, for a contentious nudge on the defender Jack Hendry when he stole the ball, was playing in his mind, amidst the snake-hip gyration that followed the second goal. Brazil’s third goal eventually came, but from Matteus Cunha to wrap Brazil’s most emphatic day in the World Cup, skinning Scotland, their knockout hopes at the largesse of fate. It was the numerical allure of a hat-trick that was disturbing him; but its wider, intangible significance. Every goal scored takes him, or any Brazilian, closer to gaining unconditional love from their demanding fans. Every goal scored is another crucification passed; every goal takes him closer to the pedestal …

Neymar, Vinicius to be abducted by aliens? Self-proclaimed psychic claims so

Neymar, Vinicius to be abducted by aliens? Self-proclaimed psychic claims so

Published by Webster

3 min readJun 24, 2026 11:01 PM IST One of the most bizarre predictions in the ongoing FIFA World Cup is not about a football game. It’s about an alien invasion. Yes, you heard that right. A self proclaimed Brazilian influencer Vo Bahiana has claimed that aliens will invade the planet during the Brazil vs Scotland match in Miami on Wednesday. ‘I have to tell you that I dreamed again about aliens invading the soccer field in Miami. And I clearly saw the players being carried off by the first ship that arrived. I was inside that ship. When the ship rose, the mothership arrived, a much larger ship, and took in thousands of people from the soccer field. I saw so much screaming, so much crying, so many tears, suffering. I am very terrified because it is the second time I am dreaming about this. They are saying that on the 24th, something very bad is about to happen at this game, at this soccer field in Miami,’ she said in a video as …

‘Vincelotti’ pair is giving Brazil sceptics a reason to believe again at FIFA World Cup

‘Vincelotti’ pair is giving Brazil sceptics a reason to believe again at FIFA World Cup

Published by Webster

Vinicius Junior could scarcely conceal his delight after Brazil’s 3-0 victory over Haiti on Saturday. Truth be told, he made little effort to. There was not an iota of reticence in his grin. In an all-scourging world that lacks a moral compass, not acting stoically could be precarious. Yet, the standard-bearer of football’s most decorated team does exactly that. At a Brazil press conference in 2024, he broke down in tears. Not snivelling, but bawling. Unrelenting racism testing his tolerance threshold, Vinicius had announced: “I am losing the will to play football.” Two years later, you would find it hard to believe he ever contemplated retirement. Tricks forged in the favelas, showboat celebrations and the improvisation that has become increasingly rare in elite football have all returned. When confronted with the inevitable question — what had changed after an unconvincing 1-1 stalemate against Morocco? — Vinicius offered a remarkably simple explanation: “Today I played in a different position. The coach asked me to.” Across the two press conferences, one figure remained constant. Carlo Ancelotti. Tears …

Vinicius Jr’s gushing about LeBron James, his bond with Neymar & respect for Yamal

Vinicius Jr’s gushing about LeBron James, his bond with Neymar & respect for Yamal

Published by Webster

4 min readJun 14, 2026 11:47 AM IST Brazilian star and redeemer of their opening day against Morocco, Vinicius Jr, arrives at the FIFA World Cup, hoping to leave asa star. But there’s four other superstars that Vinicius looks up to or mutually respects as is evidenced from his interactions in the past – LeBron James, Lamine Yamal and Neymar. Vinicius who has murals of Pele, Ronaldo (OG), alongside Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Cristian Ronaldo and LeBron James at his private gym, has often exchanged Insta messages with the likes of King James. The bond deepened as he took inspiration from the NBA superstar after he faced racist hostility in Spain from rival club fans. “LeBron also became a great source of motivation for me. He showed commitment not only in sports but also outside of it. He proved that greatness is not limited to what you do on the field,” he had said once. His foundation was influenced by the work done by King James.”My biggest dream is to leave a legacy that goes …

Vinicius Jr starts setting his Country vs Club credentials right, with a beautiful equaliser against Morocco

Vinicius Jr starts setting his Country vs Club credentials right, with a beautiful equaliser against Morocco

Published by Webster

5 min readJun 14, 2026 08:29 AM IST Vinicius Junior has heard it all and more. That he loves the club more than his country; that he cares for money rather than the crest; that he is an imposter to the lineage of the greats that have worn the jersey. Vinicius swallowed his pride; he humbly accepted his failing. Nine goals in 49 games is a grim reflection of his prowess. “I have been very bad,” he had confessed after the defeat to Uruguay in the qualification campaign. Maybe, it was the weight of the shirt, an emblem of all things beautiful about the game, a cloth that is a heritage. The number that denoted Garrincha and Jairzinho, the digit that denotes the genius on the wings. Vinicius tried as hard as he could, he devoted endless hours training with the national side; perhaps tried too hard. Not that the pressures of turning up for the most glamorous club in the world, Real Madrid were any less burdensome, but he was not the same man …

Vinicius stunner earns Brazil a point vs Morocco, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side far from frontrunners

Vinicius stunner earns Brazil a point vs Morocco, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side far from frontrunners

Published by Webster

Hands in the pocket of his black suit, an odd choice for a sweltering day, eyebrows raised, Carlo Ancelotti looked grimly at his troops retreating to the bench. Blowing the hair dryer is not his style of operation, after a largely tepid performance for a 1-1 draw. But his still and piercing eyes told the story, he was an unhappy man. A point gained against Brazil’s stiffest adversary in the group stage is no consolation for a manager crowned with all the rices of European club football; nor would have mellowed the fans’ ire. Brazil could have after all dropped all three points in an incoherent and distracted first quarter, but after equalising and pulling the game back, the five time champions’ staidness in the second half would baffle both the manager and the masses. Not that Brazil strove, but there was little conviction, cutting edge or singular belief. A goal never lurked, Brazil had not the key to the ignition that would blaze Morocco. The North African country shifted between low and mid-blocks to …

How Brazil are relying on player tracking technology

How Brazil are relying on player tracking technology

Published by Webster

3 min readJun 13, 2026 01:15 PM IST Five-time champions Brazil face 2022 semi-finalists Morocco in their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener on Saturday at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, hoping to get off to a good start as they look to win the covetted title for the first time since 2022. And among the tools the Carlo Ancelotti-coached team has been relying on is player tracking technology. Guilherme Passos, head of sports science for Brazil, has spoken about how the coaching staff uses the data around the clock to analyse the national team players. “On a daily basis, when we are not with the players, we communicate with the clubs and they send us the players information from the tracking system. So it’s easy to integrate in our database and to analyse the players when they are not with us. We know exactly where the players are in this transition process,” Passos told BBC in an interview. The ‘smart vests’ worn by the players are sensor laden with the sensors providing data on …

‘You cannot justify racism over a celebration’: Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois slams Jose Mourinho for comments on Vinicius Jr | Football News

‘You cannot justify racism over a celebration’: Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois slams Jose Mourinho for comments on Vinicius Jr | Football News

Published by Webster

2 min readFeb 24, 2026 10:12 PM IST Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois said that he was disappointed with Benfica coach Jose Mourinho comments on Vinicius Junior’s character after the Real Madrid forward had complained of being racially abused in the first leg of their Champions League play-off game. Vinicius had accused Gianluca Prestianni, a member of Mourinho’s Benfica team, of racially abusing him as he celebrated a goal in Lisbon. Vinicius had walked off the pitch which led to the game being halted for 10 minutes. “Mourinho is Mourinho, as a coach you’ll always defend your club and you’ll believe your player… but one thing disappointed me. Mourinho was using Vini’s celebration as an excuse. You can NOT justify racism over a celebration,” Courtois said ahead of the second leg of the Champions League match between Real and Benfica on Wednesday night. Last week, Mourinho had suggested that Vinícius had ‘incited’ Benfica’s players with his celebrations after scoring the only goal in Tuesday’s playoff match.] Meanwhile on Monday, UEFA banished Prestianni from the 2nd …