Vinícius Declares He Won’t Follow Griezmann’s Path—Brazil Isn’t World Cup Favorites Yet

Brazilian star Vinícius Júnior, a Real Madrid forward and Brazil international, spoke to the media ahead of a friendly against France in the United States, a tune‑up for World Cup 2026 scheduled for next summer.

At a press conference in Boston on Wednesday, he said young players ask many questions when joining teams, and when he arrived, he was given freedom to express himself; he aims to help others enjoy the moment.

Away from the noise, he focuses on delivering his best for club and country, ignoring what people say; he wants to stay fully committed to the World Cup and always aims to perform at his peak.

Neymar as a Role Model

He praised Brazil’s level even without Neymar, noting Rafinha and Casemiro as key contributors. He added that Neymar remains a role model and that the Brazilian forward gives his all to return to the squad in top form.

Vinícius also highlighted the significance of the upcoming friendly against France as a tough test ahead of the World Cup, with Ancelotti on the Brazil bench providing flexibility: Brazil is a big team and won’t settle for defending; it should be a good challenge for us.

We Are Not World Cup Favorites

Vinícius downplayed Brazil’s chances of being the outright favorites for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, saying the results so far don’t reflect them as the top pick; yet the squad’s depth and quality enhance their prospects, especially with improved cohesion following Ancelotti’s arrival.

He emphasized his willingness to shoulder responsibility as one of the tournament’s standout stars, recalling his prior World Cup experience and expressing a desire to avoid injuries while giving his best.

Future at Real Madrid

Asked about Antoine Griezmann’s move to Orlando City and the possibility of following such a path to the United States later, Vinícius stressed his full focus on Real Madrid and a long stay at the club. His contract runs through June 2027, with ongoing transfer chatter about a potential exit this summer.

However, Italian journalist Nicolò Sira, a transfers specialist, claimed on X that Real Madrid is close to renewing Vinícius’s contract through 2031, underscoring the club’s continued commitment to the star.

In sum, Vinínius reiterated dedication to Madrid and Brazil, viewing the World Cup as a major milestone while remaining pragmatic about timelines and team dynamics.

Punchline 1: If keeping it real were a sport, Vinícius would have already signed a lifetime supply of honesty with the ball.
Punchline 2: And if the World Cup were a scavenger hunt, Brazil’s clue would be: “Look for the samba behind the defense—it’s always a few steps ahead.”