Vinicius Jr. Laments Brazil’s Defeat: ‘We Can’t Play Like This’
Following Brazil’s surprising defeat against Paraguay in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, Vinicius Jr. addressed the criticism head-on, admitting that the team is far from the level expected. The Real Madrid forward, whose performance was a source of concern, was self-critical about the Brazilian team’s display in Asunción.
Vinicius’ performance was well below expectations, completing only one dribble out of four attempts and losing possession 17 times. Additionally, the player won just two of the seven duels he contested, raising doubts about his contribution to the team.
"We can’t come here, lose those points, and play the way we played," the striker said in his post-match interview.
The Brazilian press was quick to highlight the team’s errors. Media outlets such as the EBC agency headlined: "Brazil plays poorly and loses," echoing the widespread discontent.
Faced with this situation, Vinicius Jr. did not shy away from the criticism and apologized to the fans. "We want to reverse this situation of Brazil at any cost," he commented with determination.
The player also called on his teammates to reflect on what happened. "It’s time for all of us to go home, think, and immediately reflect on what we need to improve," he expressed.
For the forward, the main objective is to find the path to play well again and regain confidence. Vinicius also pointed out an important difference between the playing style in Europe and South America, where he believes the team needs to adapt better.
"In Europe, the ball circulates faster on the field, and that makes a difference. We need to find a way to adapt to be able to play at our best level and win matches," he assured.
Conclusion
Vinicius Jr.’s honest assessment of Brazil’s performance and his call for immediate reflection and improvement demonstrate the player’s leadership and commitment to the national team. As the team looks to bounce back from this setback, Vinicius’ words will undoubtedly resonate with his teammates and the Brazilian fans, who expect nothing less than a return to the team’s winning ways.
