This story is from October 13, 2023

How could the duo of Neymar and Vinicius Jr flourish for Brazil?

Brazil's interim coach, Fernando Diniz, is excited about the prospect of Neymar and Vinicius Jr playing together in the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Venezuela. Diniz is working to foster unity within the team and maintain Brazil's top position in the South American qualifying competition.
How could the duo of Neymar and Vinicius Jr flourish for Brazil?
Neymar and Brazil's forward Vinicius Jr (AFP Photo)
NEW DELHI: Brazil's interim coach, Fernando Diniz, is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to see Neymar and Vinicius Jr play alongside each other in the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifier against Venezuela. Diniz, who temporarily assumed the role of head coach after Tite's departure following Brazil's quarter-final exit in the 2022 World Cup, is working to foster unity within the team.
Diniz's stint as head coach will soon come to an end as Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is set to take over the national team next year.
1x1 polls
Nonetheless, the 49-year-old, who divides his coaching duties with Brazilian club side Fluminense, is determined to make his mark and maintain Brazil's position at the top of the South American qualifying competition.
He expressed his excitement about the prospect of Neymar and Vinicius Jr teaming up, emphasizing their exceptional skills, intelligence, and mutual respect. Diniz also highlighted the presence of Rodrygo, another highly talented player.
"(Neymar and Vinicius) are extremely good players, very intelligent, skilful and they like each other, there is also Rodrygo, a player of a very high level," Diniz said.

Vinicius, typically playing in the same forward position as Neymar, has made a return to the squad after missing the first two qualifiers due to injury. Diniz lauded Vinicius's progress and evolution into one of the world's top footballers and expressed hope that he will feel comfortable on the field.
To build a competitive team, Diniz's primary focus is to establish a sense of balance and unity. He observed a positive camaraderie among the players, citing their strong mutual fondness. Diniz believes this creates a family-like atmosphere in the squad, with experienced players warmly welcoming newcomers.
The Brazil national team is set to host Venezuela in Cuiaba before facing Uruguay in Montevideo five days later.
(With Reuters inputs)
author
About the Author
TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA