'I need some confidence now' - Vinicius Junior finds Brazil lifeline after tough Real Madrid start

The 26-year-old has endured a difficult start to the 2026/27 La Liga season, scoring only once in his first eight competitive appearances for Real Madrid.

Vinicius has also struggled to put Brazil's disappointing 2026 World Cup exit behind him and admitted the experience had affected him mentally.

His penalty against Australia, his second for Brazil, came after he won the spot-kick himself with a run into the box. Guimaraes had been expected to take it, but agreed to step aside after Carlo Ancelotti suggested Vinicius should have the chance.

"I thought Bruno would want to take it, but he knows that I need a bit of confidence right now, in this moment," Vinicius said.

"My teammates know I need some confidence now.

"Losing a World Cup is hard and difficult to accept, and the comeback is never easy."

Guimaraes said there was no hesitation about allowing Vinicius to take the penalty.

"Here in the national team, we have no vanity whatsoever," he said. "Vini really needed to score a goal. He took it very well.

"We have no vanity whatsoever. We want what's best for Brazil. We're happy for him and it's about continuing the work."

Ancelotti, who also manages Vinicius at Real Madrid, urged people to give the forward time to regain his best form.

"Is he at his best right now? No, he isn't, but it is the start of the season," Ancelotti said.

"Vini, always, even when he isn't at his best, he can still make the difference, just as he did today.

"The goal that really opened up the game was thanks to him. So, I'm going to be very patient, because he deserves that patience."

Brazil face India in their next friendly on Saturday, 3 October, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.

Vinicius will then return to Real Madrid, who face Villarreal in La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu on 10 October.

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