Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti has said that the team must help Vinícius Júnior rediscover his Real Madrid form.
He recently shared that Vini’s special ability to unsettle opposing defences makes him a vital asset for the national team.
Speaking to ahead of Brazil’s World Cup qualifying match against Ecuador, Ancelotti noted that he doesn’t think Vinícius Júnior has played his best football with Brazil thus far.
According to him, it is up to the coach and players to ensure Vini constantly performs at his best because he is such a difference maker for any team when he is in the mood.
“I don’t know if he’s been at his best here, but he has time to do what he does at Real Madrid.
For us, he’s a fundamental player. We have to work to ensure he performs at his best here,” he said.
Carlo insisted that his Brazil team must be defensively solid, stressing that while individual quality is great, it must be mixed with the right attitude and commitment.
The Italian manager stated that it does not matter what formation he uses with the national team; every selected player must defend as a group and create collectively.
“I don’t want a team with a clear identity. We have to defend well, whether it’s 4-3-3 or 4-4-2. We have to defend together and use creativity with the ball.
“Individual quality is not enough today; you have to combine it with attitude, drive and commitment,” Ancelotti said.
He further hailed 18-year-old Estêvão, who is set to leave Palmeiras for Chelsea, describing him as a special talent who has a bright future with the national team.
“He’s got a special talent … he’s got character, he’s a good person, he’s humble and he seems fine to me, but with a young player we have to be patient and careful. He has the characteristics to be very important for the future of the national team,” he added.
