World Cup: Vini Jr misses historic career moment because of Neymar | OneFootball

Flamengo academy product Vini Jr said he will not wear the No. 10 shirt at the World Cup

The most important shirt in Brazilian football is the Seleção’s No. 10, honored by Pelé, Zico, Ronaldinho and other legends of the sport. Vini Jr would have the chance to wear the number at the next World Cup, but the Flamengo academy product has already made it clear: the honor will go to Neymar.

“I don’t know mine (shirt number), but No. 10 belongs to Neymar. That’s obvious,” said Vini Jr, laughing, in an interview with broadcaster Casimiro Miguel. The former Flamengo player has still not been informed which shirt he will wear. At the last World Cup, the Real Madrid (ESP) forward wore No. 20.

During the period when Neymar was out of the Brazil national team, Vini Jr wore Brazil’s No. 10 shirt. That was the case, for example, in the team’s most recent friendly, against Croatia, in March this year. However, with the return of the Santos forward, the Flamengo man “respected the hierarchy.”

WHAT ABOUT THE FLAMENGO PLAYERS?

It is also unclear which shirt numbers the Flamengo players called up by the Brazil national team will wear. Based on the last World Cup, Danilo will wear No. 2, while Alex Sandro should take No. 6. Lucas Paquetá played at the World Cup wearing No. 7 (which should go to Vini in 2026). Finally, Léo Pereira has never played in the tournament, but the center back wore No. 15 in the most recent friendlies.

WHEN WILL THE FLAMENGO PLAYERS’ ‘FAREWELL’ BE?

With Vini Jr cheering them on, Alex Sandro, Danilo, Léo Pereira and Lucas Paquetá will say goodbye to Flamengo this Tuesday (26), against Cusco (PER), in the Copa Libertadores. After the match at the Maracanã, the trio will join the Brazil national team to begin preparations for the World Cup.

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