Vinícius Júnior Apologizes to Fans After Brazil’s Recent Loss

Vinícius Júnior expressed his remorse to Brazil’s fans following their disappointing 1-0 loss to Paraguay during World Cup qualifying on Tuesday. He acknowledged that this is a challenging period for the national team.

The defeat in Asunción has positioned Brazil fifth in the CONMEBOL standings, trailing behind Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, and Ecuador. With only 10 points accumulated from eight matches, the team’s performance has been underwhelming.

In the match, Vinícius played alongside his Real Madrid teammates Rodrygo and Endrick, but the trio struggled to make an impact after Diego Gómez scored for Paraguay in the 20th minute.

“We apologize to the fans, who are always on our side,” Vinícius stated during an interview with Sportv. “This is a difficult time for us, and we just want to improve. I know my potential and what I can contribute to the national team. It has certainly been a tough journey because when confidence is lacking, it affects goal scoring, assists, and overall performance.”

He continued, “I understand what I need to improve. I recognize my responsibilities, and I aim to enhance my performance quickly. When I’m at my best, it brings reassurance to the whole team.”

The top six teams in CONMEBOL qualifying will secure direct spots in the 2026 World Cup, while the seventh-placed team will enter playoffs. Currently, Brazil sits fifth in the rankings, only ahead of Venezuela based on goal difference and just one point above Paraguay, who occupies the seventh position.

Vinícius shared insights about the differences between national and club play, stating, “It’s completely different than playing for Real Madrid. Matches in Europe have a quicker pace; the ball transitions from one side of the pitch to the other much faster. We need to adapt so that everyone can perform better and help us win games.”

He acknowledged the team’s current struggles and the need for collective improvement. “We understand the predicament we are in and want to elevate Brazil out of it at all costs. We need to reflect on our contributions and determine how to get back on track. We cannot afford to squander these points or play the way we did. This is a difficult moment, and we must internalize all the criticism to rebound and restore Brazil to its rightful place.”

Brazil’s coach, Dorival Júnior, who took the reins in January after a series of interim appointments following Tite’s departure after the 2022 World Cup, accepted his share of responsibility for the team’s shortcomings in the match.

“You give your all, but it doesn’t always pan out,” Dorival remarked. “I could sense that not just with Vinícius. The first half revealed our shortcomings, and I take accountability for that. I don’t want to single anyone out, but there is a need for us to work harder and understand that we require more to achieve our common objectives.”

He added, “After we conceded the goal, we lost our way. Everything we had worked on disappeared by the end of the first half. It was our poorest showing since I’ve been here.”

Brazil’s next challenge will be an away game against Chile on October 11, followed by a home match against Peru just five days later. Dorival also refrained from speculating on Neymar’s potential return to the national team, as the star player continues to recover from a knee ligament injury.

“First and foremost, he needs to return to his club, Al Hilal,” the coach stated. “Until then, there is nothing more to discuss. We remain in contact, keeping tabs on Neymar’s situation, and hoping for his speedy recovery, but patience is necessary.”