'Vini Jr. has arrived' to be a 'hero of Brazilians': Brazil's top scorer is highlighted in the international press

Vini Jr
REUTERS/Paul Childs
Forward Vinícius Jr. is highlighted by the international press on the eve of Brazil's game against Japan in the World Cup knockout stage. The two teams take to the field this Monday (29) in Houston, in the United States.
The number 7 is Brazil's top scorer in the World Cup, with four goals.
The British newspaper Guardian published an article titled: "Brazilian fans were waiting for Vinícius Jr. to be their hero. He has arrived."
"Vinícius now looks happy wearing green and yellow; he was voted best player of the match in the three group stage games", says the report.
"After scoring a goal and providing an assist against Haiti, he scored twice against Scotland. Had it not been for VAR intervention, he would have become the first Brazilian to score a hat-trick (three goals in one match) in a World Cup since Pelé in 1958."
"He saved Brazil with a moment of brilliance against Morocco, scoring the kind of goals he has been scoring in droves at the Bernabéu for years. Brazil were criticized after that performance, but has since played more lightly, beating Haiti and Scotland 3-0 to finish top of the group."
The paper also suggests that Vini Jr. may be benefiting from the pressure on coach Carlo Ancelotti to field Neymar and Endrick.
"Perhaps the focus on Neymar is playing into Vinicius' favor. He can simply get on with his job while the coach deals with questions about Neymar and also the young sensation. Endrick", says the newspaper.
"When we interviewed Vinícius six years ago, he said: 'I hope I can make every Brazilian root for me one day'. With each great performance in this World Cup, he gets closer to that goal."
The Financial Times newspaper also highlighted the striker's central role in a report entitled "How Vinícius Jr. became fundamental to Brazil's World Cup dream".
"The Seleção lives in the shadow of its past. Brazilian striker Vinícius Jr. - scorer of four of the team's seven goals to date - that fans are brought back to the present," writes the newspaper.
"This team is built around Vini. Even Brazil's ability to overcome Japan in Houston on Monday largely depends on this key player." Neymar, but rather a more direct athlete: a winger who cuts inside from the left to finish with his right leg."
"Before this tournament, Vini was a peripheral figure in the Brazilian team, with just nine goals in 49 matches for the national team. For almost a decade, the team was built around Neymar - a playmaker who liked to receive the ball at his feet, left defensive tasks to others and articulated slow and elaborate attacks, which reduced the spaces for speed. of Vini", writes the newspaper.
"However, Ancelotti built this new team around his beloved pupil. The coach, tactically flexible, always structures his teams to highlight the qualities of his stars."
Vini Jr. consolidates himself as the protagonist of the Brazilian National Team
According to the newspaper, Vini Jr. has 3.06 "expected goals" - a statistical metric that measures the probability of a specific situation resulting in a goal - the highest ever. recorded by a player in a World Cup, according to data provider Opta.
The newspaper describes how Ancelotti's Brazil plays in terms of Vini Jr.
"Vini's speed is more dangerous when he has space to shoot. Therefore, Ancelotti's team - unusually for Brazil - seeks to counterattack. Brazil sets up a wall with nine players, allows even lesser opponents, such as Haiti or Scotland, to keep the ball and challenges them to build a attack. The moment a pass goes wrong, Matheus Cunha and Rayan begin the pressure and deploy Vini."
The Financial Times also highlights that Vini "faces more racism than possibly any other football player." reactions. However, Brazil and Ancelotti - who left Real Madrid to lead the Brazilian national team - have always supported him."
Spanish newspaper Marca stated that Vini Jr "starred in one of the most emotional moments of the World Cup off the field." Spanish.
"At the peak of his form with the Brazilian team, the winger showed that behind the player who leads the team there is a person with deep feelings."

Source: G1