Vinicius Junior Apologises to Brazil Fans, Gives Reason For His National Team Struggles

• Vinicius Junior has rendered an apology to Brazilians, explaining why he tends to struggle when representing the national team
• Since making his debut for Brazil in 2019, the 24-year-old has scored just five goals in over 30 appearances for the Selecao
• He will look to put the disappointment aside as club football returns this weekend with his Real Madrid side taking on Sociedad

Vinicius Junior has finally addressed Brazil's disappointing loss to Paraguay in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, breaking his silence after enduring heavy criticism from fans.

The Real Madrid winger, widely considered a top contender for the 2024 Ballon d'Or, faced intense scrutiny following a lacklustre performance that starkly contrasted his usual electrifying displays in Europe.

Vinicius explains his poor form for Brazil

The 24-year-old, known for his ability to torment defenders, was far from his best, prompting questions about his struggles when donning the Selecao jersey.

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Reactions to the post:

Here are some of the responses from social media users.

@psg__chief:

"Neymar is the real deal for Brazil. They are a mid team without him."

@Tspfresh:

"I can’t believe some Madrid clowns are comparing Neymar the third best player of our generation to these two."

@Sylvest11184781:

"That team have been so mid without Neymar, I just hope estevoa would bring those juice back once again."

@chiefgreen87:

"essi and Penaldo distorted how great Neymar really is."

@Mendri3821:

"I thought the goals didn't matter that much."

@NationalFNC:

"Neymar is fascinatingly good, while the other two are SUPER WORSE!"

@saim__shaikh:

"Such a disrespect to compare those two to Neymar. He was on a whole different level."

@MorrisMM25:

"Neymar is still the king of Brazil."

In response, Vinicius pointed to the differing playing conditions, specifically the pitch, as a key factor.

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He explained that the style of play in Europe, aided by faster surfaces, better suits his game but assured fans he would work to adapt and improve his performances for the national team.

"Games in Europe are quicker," Vinicius stated, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.

"The ball moves faster due to the field. We need to adapt to this and play in the best way to secure wins."

With Brazil now in fifth place, trailing Argentina by a daunting eight points, the five-time world champions, as noted by The Guardian, are under pressure to maintain their flawless World Cup qualification record.

Vinicius pleads with Brazilians

Understanding the weight of expectations, Vinicius apologised to supporters and vowed that the team would bounce back from this setback.

"I want to ask the fans for forgiveness," he said. "I know it's a tough time, but we will return stronger."

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What's next for Vini Jr?

Shifting his focus back to club football, the 24-year-old will look to help Real Madrid navigate a challenging clash against Real Sociedad on 14 September.

His attacking prowess will be crucial as Los Blancos seek to continue from where they left off before the international break.

Neymar questions Ballon d’Or credibility

Earlier, Briefly News reported that Brazilian star Neymar Junior has questioned the credibility of the Ballon d'Or Awards after his fellow countryman, Rodrygo de Goes, was left out of the nominations.

The current Al-Hilal forward expressed his doubts over the prestigious award. The 2024 ceremony is set to take place on Monday, 28 October, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.

Source: YEN.com.gh