International Football
Brazil need to get the best out of Vinicius Jr, says Carlo Ancelotti
Brazil must help Vinicius Jr rediscover the form he has displayed at Real Madrid, new national team coach Carlo Ancelotti said on June 4.
Ancelotti, who guided the Spanish giants to several titles alongside the Brazilian forward, including two Champions League triumphs and two La Liga crowns, said that the player’s unique ability to unsettle opposing defences made him a vital asset.
“I don’t know if he’s been at his best here, but he has time to do what he does at Real Madrid,” he said ahead of Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Ecuador on Thursday – his first match in charge of the Selecao.
“For us, he’s a fundamental player. We have to work to ensure he performs at his best here.”
Vinicius made his World Cup debut in Qatar in 2022 and has been a regular during their qualifying campaign for the 2026 tournament. However, the 24-year-old has struggled for form with the national team, falling short of his usual standards at Real.
Regarding his tactical approach, Ancelotti stated that he aims to field a compact, balanced team.
“I don’t want a team with a clear identity. We have to defend well, whether it’s 4-3-3 or 4-4-2. We have to defend together and use creativity with the ball,” the Italian said.
“Individual quality is not enough today; you have to combine it with attitude, drive and commitment.”
He did not reveal his starting line-up for his debut as coach, but Ancelotti did have words of praise for 18-year-old Estevao Willian, who is leaving Palmeiras for Chelsea and has been tipped for a bright future with the national team.
Said Ancelotti: “He’s got a special talent… he’s got character, he’s a good person, he’s humble, and he seems fine to me, but with a young player we have to be patient and careful.
“He has the characteristics to be very important for the future of the national team.”
Brazil are fourth in the standings in the South American World Cup qualifiers, while their opponents Ecuador are second, behind world champions Argentina. The top six qualify directly for the World Cup.
They will host Paraguay in Sao Paulo next week and could secure an early spot at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, meanwhile, said he had yet to decide whether captain Lionel Messi would start in their next qualifier against Chile, as he continues to closely monitor the 37-year-old’s fitness.
With their place at the Finals already secured, Argentina travel to bottom-placed Chile on June 5 without several regulars and with Messi’s role uncertain.
“We’ve been in contact (with Messi) recently. We haven’t decided yet whether he’ll play from the start or not. It would be good to know how he’s feeling physically,” Scaloni said.
“In principle, he’s available to play, and we’ll decide later.”
With a number of key players sidelined by injury or suspension, Scaloni called it a chance to test new talent ahead of their World Cup title defence next summer.
“We’re going to have a lot of players out. If some of the guys we call up are fit and ready to play, they’ll get their chance,” he said.
“I don’t have the starting eleven confirmed yet, but we will give some playing time to players who haven’t played much and who we believe are ready to play.
“Although the result is always important, we don’t think it’s crucial today. We’ll probably try to help these players settle in and give them the chance to get some playing time with the team.”
-Reuters
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Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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