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Brazil Hits Out at Its National Team: Criticisms Against Vinícius in His Own Country
The Brazilian press unleashed fierce criticism towards their national team, coach Dorival Júnior, and Real Madrid’s Vinícius following the defeat in Asunción against Paraguay (1-0) in the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
"Brazil plays poorly and loses," headlined the state news agency EBC.
The media unanimously highlighted "the lack of daring," "poor football," and the "technical crisis" facing the five-time world champions, with fears growing about the possibility of missing the next World Cup.
Journalist Alexandre Alliatti went a step further, writing on Ge, Globo’s sports portal, that "the Brazilian national team needs a foreign coach."
"Dorival is a serious, correct individual who has just started his job. But can you imagine him taking the team anywhere?" he questioned.
"After ten games under his command, the progress has been very minimal for a team that needs to make a significant leap in two years," the O Globo article pointed out.
The coach is criticized for promising once again, on the eve of facing the Albirroja, to reach the final of the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
While the coach is the main target of criticism, no one is spared.
"The team lacks daring and is filled with average and mediocre players. In Defensores del Chaco, it was predictable, slow, apathetic, and unproductive," noted the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo.
Regarding Vinícius, the star of this team that longs for Neymar's return, they emphasize that he remains very isolated on the left wing.
Danilo Lavieri criticized on the UOL portal the "absolutely below-average performance" of the Real Madrid winger with the national team.
"A candidate for best in the world, he missed almost everything he attempted in the two matches against Ecuador and Paraguay," he said.
As for fellow Madridista Endrick, who started in Asunción, the press indicated that he "is far from consolidating."
"Brazil isn’t getting anywhere because it constantly has a rookie to integrate and is thrown to the lions in this team without tactical patterns and collective problems," UOL commented.
The Canarinha is currently in fifth place in the South American qualifiers, with more defeats (4) than wins (3).
For the 2026 World Cup, the top six teams will qualify, while the seventh will go to a playoff, and Brazil is currently just one point away from being out of contention.
