Vinícius Júnior may not don Brazil’s iconic No. 10 jersey at this World Cup, a number historically associated with legends like Pelé and Ronaldinho, which currently belongs to Neymar. The 34-year-old Neymar, despite his past glories, is struggling with injuries that have plagued him throughout his four World Cup appearances.
While Vinícius is now regarded as Brazil’s key player, he has yet to fully establish himself within the squad. With only nine goals in 49 international matches leading up to this tournament, he faces the challenge of stepping out from Neymar’s shadow, especially as fans donned the No. 10 jersey during Brazil’s recent draw against Morocco.
Neymar, who was seen limping around the stadium before the match, still managed to garner cheers from supporters, signaling his ongoing importance to the team despite not being part of the matchday roster. Attempting to contribute from the sidelines, he tried to motivate a team that needs his experience.
Vinícius Takes Charge
This World Cup group-stage match presented a vital opportunity for Vinícius to assert his dominance, especially with Brazil facing another top-10 team in FIFA rankings. Under the watchful eyes of Brazilian icons like Ronaldo and Kaká, Vinícius delivered an impressive performance for his coach, Carlo Ancelotti, who has nurtured him from a young talent into a superstar at Real Madrid.
Vinícius was named man of the match, a decision that sparked some debate given the strong showing from Morocco’s 18-year-old playmaker Ayyoub Bouaddi. However, it was Vinícius’s equalizing goal in the 32nd minute that sparked Brazil into action after a sluggish start.
In the first half, Brazil’s players often looked to the crowd for support, a stark contrast to their previous semifinal run at the last World Cup, which they have not matched on foreign soil for nearly 25 years. Ancelotti later acknowledged that the team was anxious at the start, stating, “The team was a bit anxious and at the beginning nerves were all over the place,”
Key Moments and Challenges
Vinícius proved to be a persistent threat down the wing, demonstrating his speed and skill. In the 14th minute, he outpaced club and national rival Achraf Hakimi to deliver a cross that narrowly evaded Igor Thiago. Later, he found space in the Moroccan box, received a clever pass from Bruno Guimarães, and skillfully maneuvered to score, leveling the match after Ismael Saibari’s earlier goal.
The goal, despite its low expected goal value of 0.1, was crucial for Brazil, giving them the momentum they needed. “In the second half we did a lot better.” Vinícius reflected after the game.
Following his goal, Brazil settled into a more organized play style while Morocco fortified their defense. Most of Brazil’s offensive threats continued to stem from Vinícius’s left side, where he frequently found space but lacked support from teammates. He continued to challenge Hakimi, assisting Raphinha, whose shot lacked precision.
“I believe I can improve a lot, I managed to score a goal, but I didn’t have 100% of my best technical part,” lamented Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi.
Although not flawless, Vinícius’s contributions were vital. His ability to ignite the team’s performance when they needed it most was evident. For now, this emerging star is aligning well with the expectations of Brazil, and it feels particularly fitting for a player like Vini to excel in North Jersey.
