Dorival: Vinicius suffering from same Brazil pressure as Neymar

Dorival Junior believes the pressure of being Brazil’s main man can sometimes weigh Vinicius Junior down, just as it did Neymar in years gone by.

Brazil beat Ecuador 1-0 to end a three-match losing run in the CONMEBOL 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Friday, though their performance was far from convincing.

Rodrygo’s deflected first-half strike handed Brazil a crucial three points, yet they were indebted to goalkeeper Alisson for making a huge one-on-one save to deny Moises Caicedo on the stroke of half-time.

Having endured a torrid time at the Copa America earlier this year, Vinicius was quiet again on Friday, failing to complete any of his four dribbles and losing possession 14 times – more than any other Selecao player.

Brazil’s recent performances have come in for stern criticism at home, but Dorival believes everyone connected with the national team needs to have more patience.

“We want to see players in the condition where he produces at all times, in the same way he does at his club,” Dorival said of Vinicius.

“We always have cycles within the clubs themselves, we have moments when Rodrygo will be featured over a few months, soon Vini will enter this same condition.

“We have to be very calm. This same expectation was generated around Neymar, that at all times Neymar had to be the solution to our problems.”

Em cima da linha! Caicedo chutou e Gabriel Magalhães se vestiu de herói para impedir o gol do #Ecuador na vitória da @CBF_Futebol #EliminatoriasSudamericanas pic.twitter.com/svN8XeZJ00

— CONMEBOL.com (@CONMEBOL) September 7, 2024

Neymar himself has not played for either Al-Hilal or Brazil since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during the Selecao’s 2-0 defeat to Uruguay last October.

Dorival cited his recovery as yet another area where Brazil’s supporters must have more understanding.

“If we have a little patience and receive Neymar at the moment the team is more balanced, I have no doubt he can make a very big difference with the ability he has, with those who are here,” he added.

“We have to learn that these processes are lengthy and require time and patience, which we do not have in our country.

“I say again to the Brazilian fans: have a little calm, let’s first regain the confidence of the Brazilian team. We have players of the highest level, who play in the biggest clubs in Europe, as well as in Brazilian football.

“I have no doubt that we will have an aggressive team like the fans want, playing in a regular way and transmitting even greater confidence.”

Brazil go to Paraguay for their next World Cup qualifier on Tuesday, having gone fourth in the 10-team group with Friday’s slender victory.

Focus pic.twitter.com/JWQFDsw3i8

— Neymar Jr (@neymarjr) August 7, 2024