Ancelotti and Vinicius reunion pays dividends for Brazil

Vinicius Junior's resurgence in a Brazil shirt has become one of the defining stories for the Selecao in the ongoing FIFA World Cup so far, with the forward crediting a familiar face on the touchline for helping unlock his best form on the international stage.

For years, Vinicius dazzled at club level but struggled to consistently replicate those performances for Brazil. Despite establishing himself as one of world football's most dangerous attackers at Real Madrid, his output for the Selecao often fell short of expectations.

That narrative has changed dramatically since the arrival of Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti in May 2025.

The veteran tactician, who spent four successful seasons working alongside Vinicius at Real Madrid, appears to have reignited the spark that made the winger one of Europe's most feared forwards. Since Ancelotti took charge of Brazil, Vinicius has transformed into the team's focal point in attack, delivering goals and injecting confidence in the team.

The chemistry between player and coach has been evident in the tournament so far. Ancelotti's deep understanding of Vinicius's strengths -- his explosive pace, directness in attack and ability to thrive in open spaces -- has allowed Brazil to build an attacking system that maximises the 25-year-old's qualities.

Before Ancelotti took charge, Vinicius had scored a paltry six goals in 39 appearances for Brazil. Since the Italian‘s arrival, however, the picture has changed sharply as he has netted seven times in 13 games, and has found the net in every game of Brazil's World Cup campaign so far.

Speaking after scoring twice in Brazil's 3-0 victory over Scotland, Vinicius highlighted the influence of the coach who helped shape his career in Madrid.

"He is one of the best coaches in the world. He understands his players very well and adapts very well to them," Vinícius said. "He came here and understood how we should play. I think it's paid off."

Beyond the statistics, there is a visible sense of freedom in Vinicius's performances. The winger looks more confident, more decisive and more influential, carrying the same swagger that made him a star at club level.

With Brazil progressing to the knockout rounds as Group C winners, the partnership could prove crucial in their pursuit of a sixth World Cup crown. While Vinicius provides the flair on the pitch, Ancelotti offers the calm guidance from the sidelines.