DOHA: Brazil forward Vin铆cius J煤nior praised Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti for his success at the World Cup.
Vin铆cius J煤nior arrived in Qatar without knowing if he was going to get a chance to start for Brazil, but heading into Friday鈥檚 quarterfinal match against Croatia, no one questions his spot in the lineup or his importance for the team.
He said Ancelotti was one of the people who gave him guidance ahead of soccer鈥檚 biggest tournament.
鈥淚 talked with Ancelotti and he gave me a lot of advice to help me become a starter with Brazil. He gave me a lot of confidence,鈥� the 22-year-old Vin铆cius J煤nior said Wednesday. 鈥淗e was always was tough with me when he needed to be. He is like a father to me.鈥�
Vin铆cius J煤nior was often questioned at Madrid while Zinedine Zidane was the coach, but quickly established himself as a starter with Ancelotti in command. The Brazil forward said the Italian coach is always sending him messages.
鈥淗e is good not only with the technical aspects of the game, but also with how he deals with his players,鈥� Vin铆cius J煤nior said. 鈥淚 have been improving a lot and Ancelotti has helped me with that. He and (Brazil coach) Tite are very similar and they talk to each other a lot.鈥�
Vin铆cius J煤nior, who has a goal and two assists in the three World Cup games, said he also learned from Madrid midfielder Luka Modric, who will be one of his opponents on Friday at Education City Stadium.
Vin铆cius J煤nior said the pass he gave for Lucas Paquet谩鈥檚 goal in the round of 16 against South Korea, using the outside of his foot, was something he learned from Modric at Madrid.
鈥淗e is always teaching me things, on and off the field,鈥� Vin铆cius J煤nior said. 鈥淗e helps me every day, making sure I鈥檓 always improving. He is a reference to me, playing at a high level at 37 years old, that is something rare. I鈥檓 happy that I鈥檒l be playing against him, and let the best team win.鈥�
Within Brazil鈥檚 national team, Vin铆cius J煤nior said he also gets advice from Neymar.
鈥淗e told me how the World Cup is different than anything else,鈥� Vin铆cius J煤nior said. 鈥淗e told me that, and I always remember it. And when the national anthem played, I realized what it all meant.鈥�
Vin铆cius J煤nior was among the Brazilian players criticized for their dance celebrations at the World Cup. He had already been targeted because of that while with Madrid. But he promised even more dancing if Brazil keeps succeeding in Qatar.
鈥淭he goal is the most important moment in soccer, not only for those who score them but for the entire country,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e still have many celebrations left, and hopefully we can keep scoring and dancing like this until the final.鈥�