The Real Madrid superstar is facing mounting pressure after failing to translate his domestic form to the Seleção
Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior is facing scrutiny in Brazil following a string of below-par performances with the national team heading into the 2026 World Cup this summer.
While he remains one of the most dangerous winger’s in European football with Los Blancos, his status in the national team continues to raise doubts.
The debate reached boiling point this week as former Brazil internationals weighed in on why one of the world’s most devastating attackers appears a shadow of himself when representing the five-time world champions.
The criticism from within Brazil has been direct, focusing on a perceived lack of impact across multiple managerial regimes.
Carlo Ancelotti, his former coach at Real Madrid with whom he won a host of trophies including two Champions League titles, is in charge of the Brazil squad, leading former Sevilla and Brazil striker Luis Fabiano to point the finger at Vinícius rather than the revolving door of managers.
“I think the problem lies with Vinícius himself. He has already had chances under Dorival, Diniz, and Tite. So far, he has shown nothing,” Luis Fabiano said during a television appearance on ESPN Brasil.
“He doesn’t play the way he does for Real Madrid.”
The burden of the iconic Brazil no.10 shirt
A significant portion of the discourse has shifted toward the psychological and tactical weight placed upon Vinícius , specifically the expectation that he must fill the creative void left by Neymar.
Former defender Fabio Luciano argued that the current environment stifles the winger’s natural instincts by forcing him into a playmaking role that does not suit his profile. Luciano believes that the lack of a cohesive support system leaves Vinícius isolated.
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“I think the national team can’t get him into the situations he has at Real Madrid for one-on-one situations. Brazil moves the ball around like anyone else could, but when the ball gets to Vini, there are a lot of people marking him. That’s the tactical issue,” Luciano explained.
This tactical isolation is compounded by a perceived identity crisis regarding the player’s role on the pitch. Luciano was particularly vocal about the symbolic pressure of the jersey numbers, suggesting that the prestigious number 10 shirt is a mismatch for a player whose game is built on explosive pace rather than midfield orchestration.
“The other thing is that, unfortunately, when Neymar isn’t there, he thinks he has to be Neymar,” he added.
“I think that’s a lot of responsibility on him, he needs to take that weight off his shoulders, the national team needs to take that weight off his shoulders, tell him ‘you’re not Neymar’, ‘you’re not going to solve this alone’, ‘we’re going to help you’.”
“I was really angry when I saw Vini with the number 10 shirt. I don’t think he can play with the number 10; it’s unimaginable for Vini to play with the number 10 for the national team because we’ll keep comparing him.
“He’s not a no.10; he’s a winger, he’s not a midfielder, he’s not a genius, he’s not cerebral, he’s about speed and dribbling.”
As Brazil looks toward the next cycle of international fixtures, the consensus from the old guard is clear: the team must rebuild its collective structure to serve the winger’s strengths rather than asking him to reinvent himself.
“Vini isn’t Neymar; he doesn’t have to take on the responsibility of being the star of the national team,” Luciano added.
“He’s part of a collective. When the collective works, he’ll produce. If I could give Vini one piece of advice, don’t pick the number 10.”