Vinicius Jr.'s Comments Before Brazil vs. Croatia – Qatar 2022
In a pre-match press conference during the Qatar 2022 World Cup, Brazilian star Vinicius Jr. shared his thoughts ahead of Brazil’s quarter-final clash against Croatia, held at Education City Stadium.
Vinicius said at the time:
“We have a tough match ahead against the runners-up of the last World Cup. We’ll prepare well and give our best, just like we did against South Korea. Scoring is important for us.”
He praised his Real Madrid teammate Luka Modrić, adding:
“Modrić is a great player who taught me a lot both on and off the pitch. It’s always special to face him. I’ll leave the task of stopping him to Casemiro—he knows him well and is better suited for that job.”
Vinicius also spoke about the team’s unity:
“I’m happy to be among the best players. We trust each other a lot. If I can’t make something happen, I know Neymar will—and vice versa. The same goes for Raphinha, Richarlison, and the others.”
Regarding his club coach Carlo Ancelotti, he said:
“Ancelotti always gives me the confidence and affection I need. He’s like a father to all of us.”
On Neymar, Vinicius shared:
“Neymar is my idol, and over time he became a friend and a brother who always gives me advice. Before every game, he helps relieve the pressure off me.”
He concluded with a message about the team's joy:
“People often complain when they see someone happy. Brazilians love to dance and celebrate, and we don’t care about the critics. I feel happy when I make others happy by dancing—and we’ll keep on dancing.”
🔁 These statements were made ahead of Brazil’s quarter-final match against Croatia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which ended in a dramatic penalty shootout win for