Brazil has to help Vinicius JR to rediscover the form he shown in Real Madrid, said the new national team coach Carlo Ancelotti on Wednesday.
Ancelotti, who led the Spanish giants to different titles besides the Brazilian attacker, including two Champions League triumphs and two LaLiga crowns, said his unique ability to unleash opposed defenses, made him an essential possession.
“I don't know if he has been here at his best, but he has time to do what he is doing at Real Madrid,” Ancelotti told reporters prior to the qualifying match of Brazil to Ecuador on Thursday – his first game to lead the national team.
“For us he is a fundamental player. We have to work to ensure that he performs at his best,” the manager added.
Vinicius made his world cup debut in Qatar in 2022 and was regularly during their qualifying campaign for the 2026 tournament. However, he struggled for form at the national team and does not shoot at his usual standards at Real Madrid.
With regard to his tactical approach, Ancelotti stated that he wants to perform a compact, balanced team.
“I don't want a team with a clear identity. We have to defend well, whether it is 4-3-3 or 4-4-2. We have to defend together and use creativity with the ball,” he said.
“Individual quality is not enough today; you have to combine it with posture, drive and dedication.”
He did not reveal his starting line-up for his debut as a coach, but he did have praise for the 18-year-old Estevao, who leaves Palmeiras for Chelsea and is tipped for a bright future with the national team.
“He has a special talent … he has character, he is a good person, he is humble and he seems fine, 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,” the coach said.
Brazil is fourth in the rankings for the qualifications of the South American World Cup, while their opponents Ecuador are second, behind world champions Argentina. The top six are directly eligible for the World Cup.
They will organize Paraguay in Sao Paulo next week and can secure an early place at the World Cup of next year in the United States, Mexico and Canada.