Rivaldo hails Vini Jr, names Flamengo graduate Brazil's best | OneFootball

Five-time world champion Rivaldo heaped praise on Vini Jr

A Flamengo academy product, Vini Jr continues to collect praise after another great performance in the Brazil national team shirt. This time, the one who made a point of highlighting the forward’s display was Rivaldo, a five-time world champion in 2002. The former attacking midfielder said that the No. 7 is going through a special moment and is currently the top player in Brazilian football.

“Another Brazil win and another great performance from Vini Jr. He took responsibility, was decisive and, in my opinion, the best player for the Brazil national team in this first stage. A humble, hardworking, winning kid who deserves all the success he has been achieving. Now is where the real World Cup begins. I believe our entire team is prepared, focused and has improved game after game. May this upward trend continue until we reach our big goal,” Rivaldo wrote on social media.

After Brazil’s 3-0 win over Scotland in the third round of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, Rivaldo posted a message praising the performance of Carlo Ancelotti’s team. However, the biggest spotlight was on Vini Jr, who scored two goals in the match.

WHY DID RIVALDO PRAISE VINI JR SO MUCH?

The performance against Scotland reinforced the striker’s excellent form. In addition to the two goals he scored, Vini was one of the main reasons for Brazil’s dominance during the match, being decisive both in attacking plays and in his off-the-ball movement.

With that performance, the former Flamengo player joined a select group in the history of the Brazil national team. Vini Jr became only the fifth Brazilian to score in the first three matches of a World Cup edition, matching a feat previously achieved by historic names such as Jairzinho, Romário, Ronaldo and Rivaldo himself.

HOW HAS VINI JR STOOD OUT AT THE WORLD CUP?

Vini Jr’s starring role did not emerge only in the last round. Since the start of the tournament, the forward has been one of the main standouts in Carlo Ancelotti’s team. In three matches played, the No. 7 has four goals and one assist, in addition to leading several of Brazil’s offensive statistics.

In addition, the forward has shown maturity on the field. Even with Neymar’s return to the squad, Vini remains Brazil’s main attacking reference and naturally took on the team’s leading role during the group stage. His performances have also placed him among the candidates to finish as the World Cup’s top scorer.

WHAT IS THE BRAZIL NATIONAL TEAM’S NEXT CHALLENGE, AFTER ALL?

After finishing the group stage at the top of its group, Brazil is now turning its full attention to the World Cup knockout stage. On Monday (29), at 2 p.m. Brasília time, Vini Jr’s team faces Japan for a place in the round of 16.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.