Vinicius Jr is finally showing the world why he has long been tipped as Brazil’s next great hope at the 2026 World Cup. Having found his best form on the biggest stage, the Real Madrid winger is driving the Selecao forward through the group phase, prompting the question — just how far can he carry Carlo Ancelotti’s talented yet flawed side?

“If I go to the World Cup, score four or five goals and we become champions, the whole story changes. Then people will say I was preparing myself for the World Cup all along, even in the games where I didn’t play well.”

Those were Vinicius Jr’s words before the tournament began, and he is already making strides in reshaping perceptions of his international career in North America.

With four goals in three matches, the winger has been Brazil’s standout performer. The question now is whether his blistering form can mask the team’s weaknesses and inspire a genuine title challenge.

Lighting up the tournament

In a World Cup brimming with individual brilliance, Vinicius has more than held his own. He is firmly in the race for the Golden Boot, with four goals to his name — level with Real Madrid teammate Kylian Mbappe, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and Erling Haaland, just one behind Lionel Messi, who leads with five.

After Brazil’s sluggish start and a frustrating draw against Morocco, it was Vinicius who rescued them with a moment of individual class. Cutting inside from the left, he unleashed a curling strike into the far corner to equalise after trailing 1-0. That goal proved to be a turning point.

He followed it up with a standout performance in the 3-0 win over Haiti, where he set up Matheus Cunha before scoring the third himself. Against Scotland, he terrorised defenders, capitalising on two mistakes to score twice, and was denied a hat-trick only by a controversial VAR decision that ruled out a goal for a slight foul.

Joining elite company

Vinicius’s exploits have placed him among Brazil’s legendary World Cup performers. He now joins the likes of Jairzinho (1970), Romario (1994), Ronaldo Nazario (2002) and Rivaldo (2002) as the only Brazilians to score in each of the first three matches of a World Cup — all of which ended with Brazil lifting the trophy.

He is also the first Brazilian to score four goals in a World Cup since Neymar did so in 2014. The 34-year-old Neymar, who remains part of the squad, acknowledged the shift in leadership after the win over Scotland, saying, “Vini Jr is our star player. He’s in incredible form, deciding matches.”

A defining moment

This tournament marks a clear turning point in Vinicius’s international career. Despite his club success, his Brazil record had been modest before the World Cup — nine goals and nine assists across nearly 50 caps, including just one goal in the 2022 edition in Qatar and two in the 2024 Copa America.

Vinicius has admitted that he struggled to replicate his club form for the national team, but his performances in this World Cup suggest that he is finally bridging that gap. “There were periods with the national team when I couldn’t show my football,” he said after the win over Scotland. “And there is nothing better than, in a situation like that, scoring many goals and having great performances. Thanks to my talent and my work at Real Madrid, I was confident that at the right moment I would shine again in the Brazil shirt.”

Momentum building

While Brazil’s opponents so far have not included many top-ranked sides — Morocco being the only one in FIFA’s top 40 — Ancelotti’s team appears to be building rhythm. The Italian coach has made key adjustments that are paying off, including introducing Cunha to the starting XI. The forward’s ability to drop deep and link play has opened up space for Vinicius while also yielding three goals of his own.

In midfield, Lucas Paqueta has been industrious in the No.10 role, while Bruno Guimaraes has already notched three assists. Veteran Danilo’s inclusion at right-back has strengthened the defence, and 19-year-old Rayan impressed after replacing the injured Raphinha against Scotland.

Although tougher challenges lie ahead, Brazil’s performances suggest a team slowly finding its footing under Ancelotti, with Vinicius emerging as the driving force behind their resurgence.

Next challenge: Japan

Because of the expanded 48-team World Cup format, Brazil’s path is far from straightforward. Despite topping their group, they will face Group F runners-up Japan in Houston on Monday — hardly an easy draw.

Japan have proven to be a formidable side, earning a draw against the Netherlands and routing Tunisia earlier in the tournament. Their only disappointment was being held by Sweden in their final group match. Brazil will remember them well — just eight months ago, Japan stunned Ancelotti’s side 3-2 in a Tokyo friendly, overturning a two-goal deficit. Vinicius started that match but was substituted early after a quiet display. Most of Japan’s lineup remains unchanged, though Brazil’s defence looks much different this time.

Growing belief

For Brazil to make a deep run, Vinicius must maintain his current level. Should they overcome Japan, they would face either Norway or Ivory Coast in the last 16 — a winnable tie that could set up a quarter-final berth. From there, the road becomes far more treacherous, with England, Argentina and Spain all potential opponents.

Despite the odds, Brazil’s momentum — fuelled by Vinicius’s brilliance — gives them reason for optimism. As the forward himself put it, “There is nothing better than returning at the World Cup, the place where I always dreamed of being, to represent my family and my country in the fight for the sixth star.”

He added, “I will keep improving throughout the tournament, and our hope — the hope of the fans and our families — only continues to grow.”