The 20-year-old, who won his first cap last year for his country, is back in the international frame and his coach has waxed lyrical about his skills
Vinicius Junior has been hailed as an “extraordinary” player by Brazil boss Tite after the Real Madrid man returned to the international fold, with the Selecao supremo comparing the forward to a supercar in terms of his skill.
The Real Madrid forward missed out on a place in the last national squad for this month’s CONMEBOL qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
But with his coach vowing to rotate his less experienced players on the global stage, the 20-year-old – who has just one cap to date – has been recalled, at the expence of his Madrid teammate Rodrygo.
Speaking on the former Flamengo star’s inclusion, Tite waxed lyrical on the attacker’s attributes ahead of matches against Venezuela and Uruguay, conjuring up some automotive comparisons in poetic fashion.
“He is a player of openness, breadth, edge, outside [and] one on one [skills],” the 59-year-old stated. “He has extraordinary physical virtues.
“If a normal car has five gears, he has six or seven! The torque, the acceleration, the one against one – [it] is impressive.”
Among the further changes made, Barcelona star Arthur has replaced Bruno Guimaraes, while Rodrigo Caio has kept his spot in the group and Felipe has made way for Eder Militao, who only made his first appearance of the season for Madrid last weekend.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson and Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus were included as expected after missing last month’s matches through injury, with Santos and Matheus Cunha consequently left out.
“For the young players it’s a matter of process, of maturity in their clubs,” Tite added. “[Their selection depends on] the best moment, the degree of confidence they have. For this reason, I’ll sometimes use Vinicius, Rodrygo or Bruno Guimaraes”
Brazil squad : Alisson (Liverpool), Ederson (Manchester City), Weverton (Palmeiras); Alex Telles (Manchester United), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Gabriel Menino (Palmeiras), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Rodrigo Caio (Flamengo), Thiago Silva (Chelsea); Arthur (Juventus), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Everton Ribeiro (Flamengo), Fabinho (Liverpool), Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona); Everton (Benfica), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain), Richarlison (Everton), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid).
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