Vinicius vows team-first mentality as Brazil brace for Morocco

Vinicius Jr. arrives at the World Cup with a singular focus: guiding Brazil to their sixth title. The dynamic winger made it clear that individual awards like MVP are not his objective. His primary goal is to contribute to the team's success, aiming to bring the trophy home after a 24-year drought.

“

The World Cup isn't starting tomorrow; for us, it began several days ago because we’re so focused on our game, our development and our preparation to hit the ground running at the World Cup.

The Brazilian squad has been intensely focused on preparation, with Vinicius noting that their World Cup journey effectively started days before the official opening. This heightened readiness stems from lessons learned in recent tournaments, particularly the quarter-final losses in the last two editions. Vinicius stressed that the team must maintain concentration until the very last minute of every match.

“

I don't care about individual titles, I’m not here to be the MVP; I’m here to help Brazil win a sixth World Cup title. I’m not here to be the best player in the tournament; I’m here to help Brazil return to the top.

Now in peak physical condition and with more experience than in previous World Cups, Vinicius feels ready for an excellent tournament. He credits Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti for fostering an environment where he has the freedom to express his natural playing style. Ancelotti's coaching philosophy, emphasizing full-match concentration and attention to small details, is something Vinicius believes is crucial for success on the World Cup stage.

“

The World Cup is different from any other tournament I've played, and the last one taught me that we have to be prepared right up until the final minute of the match. We have to do things differently – lessons learnt.