Brazil were able to survive a stiff challenge from underdogs Japan in the World Cup Round of 32, as Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior kept his tournament alive with another strong performance. While he did not get involved in the score sheet, VIni had another good all around game despite being isolatd tactically on the wing, and like Kylian Mbappe at France, Vini has clearly benefited from being the star and having the full responsibility of being the great hope of Brazil.
While Vinicius and Real Madrid are coming off a difficult season, a neglected fact has been that the Brazilian international has more goals than any other player in the world in 2026 besides England and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane, whose single season 2025/26 combined club and country tally is the second best of all time behind only Lionel Messi.
But back to Vinicius. The 25 year old has four goals and an assist in four games at the World Cup, including the Man of the Match in all three group stage games for the Selecao. And even Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, who is secretly good friends with him to bridge the rivalry gap, can't help but admit how amazing Vini Jr. has been this World Cup.
Vinicius Jr. is balling out again
Yamal told Spanish outlet COPE, via the Madrid Zone, “Who has impressed me the most in World Cup among the stars and non-stars? Vini, I am really liking a lot. Messi obviously. Among the non-stars? Ismael Saibari is been doing very well, even apart from just scoring goals.”
Lionel Messi baptized Yamal to stardom in football, so obviously the greatest ever Barcelona player is going to get a huge shoutout. But Vinicius Junior has also been one of the best players of the World Cup tournament, playing at an even higher level than Yamal himself, and it is telling that he said Vini right off the bat despite him being a hated Clasico rivalry.
The numbers speak for themselves. Vinicius Jr., in addition to the five goal contributions for Brazil, is averaging nearly two key passes per game and nearly five combined dribbles completed and fouls drawn per match for the Selecao. He is the creative hub and the main source of progression, having to face up even more double and triple teams for Brazil than he does at Real Madrid. Vini has to do more with less to work with, and a baller like Yamal going to bat for him tells you what you need to know - and what Barcelona fans are terrified to admit. Vini is a top five player on this planet.
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