Vinícius Jr: Football Taught Me to Stay Authentic Under Pressure

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws near, Vinícius Júnior stands at the centre of Brazil’s biggest footballing hopes in decades. The Real Madrid forward, 25, has spoken candidly about what the tournament means to him personally — and the weight that comes with representing a nation that has not lifted the trophy since 2002.

“The World Cup means everything to me,” he said. “You’re representing millions of people, bringing joy to Brazil, and you feel a huge sense of responsibility but also an incredible pride. It’s different from anything else.”

Creativity on and off the pitch

In a wide-ranging conversation, Vinícius reflected on how football has shaped his identity far beyond the game. He described the sport as a constant exercise in creative problem-solving — dribbling, thinking quickly, inventing plays — qualities that now inform his personal style and off-pitch collaborations. “Football taught me to be authentic,” he said, a philosophy that is evident in everything from his flair on the ball to his growing presence in global culture. He recently joined Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kylian Mbappé in a high-profile LEGO campaign, underlining his status as one of football’s biggest crossover personalities.

Yamal, Neymar and Brazil’s golden generation

Setting aside club loyalties, Vinícius offered bold praise for Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal, calling him one of the best players in the world — someone capable of winning the World Cup single-handedly for Spain. The comments surprised many, given the fierce Real Madrid–Barcelona rivalry, but they underscored Vinícius’s reputation for honesty. Equally emotional was his reflection on Neymar, who has received a national team call-up after a lengthy spell away. Vinícius revealed that after each