عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Sports

Ancelotti: Brazil Need to Get the Best Out of Vinicius Jr

Brazil's soccer coach Carlo Ancelotti gives a press conference ahead his team's World Cup qualifying match against Ecuador, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Cesar Munoz)
Brazil's soccer coach Carlo Ancelotti gives a press conference ahead his team's World Cup qualifying match against Ecuador, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Cesar Munoz)
TT
TT

Ancelotti: Brazil Need to Get the Best Out of Vinicius Jr

Brazil's soccer coach Carlo Ancelotti gives a press conference ahead his team's World Cup qualifying match against Ecuador, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Cesar Munoz)
Brazil's soccer coach Carlo Ancelotti gives a press conference ahead his team's World Cup qualifying match against Ecuador, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Cesar Munoz)

Brazil must help striker Vinicius Jr rediscover the form he has displayed at Real Madrid, new national team coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Wednesday.

Ancelotti, who guided the Spanish giants to several titles alongside the Brazilian forward, including two Champions League triumphs and two LaLiga crowns, said that his unique ability to unsettle opposing defenses made him a vital asset.

“I don't know if he's been at his best here, but he has time to do what he does at Real Madrid,” Ancelotti told reporters ahead of Brazil’s World Cup qualifying match against Ecuador on Thursday — his first match in charge of the national team.

“For us, he's a fundamental player. We have to work to ensure he performs at his best here,” the manager added, according to Reuters.

Vinicius made his World Cup debut in Qatar in 2022 and has been a regular during their qualifying campaign for the 2026 tournament. However, he has struggled for form with the national team, falling short of his usual standards at Real Madrid.

Regarding his tactical approach, Ancelotti stated that he aims to field a compact, balanced team.

"I don't want a team with a clear identity. We have to defend well, whether it's 4-3-3 or 4-4-2. We have to defend together and use creativity with the ball,” he said.

"Individual quality is not enough today; you have to combine it with attitude, drive and commitment.”

He didn't reveal his starting line-up for his debut as coach, but he did have words of praise for 18-year-old Estevao, who is leaving Palmeiras for Chelsea and has been tipped for a bright future with the national team.

"He's got a special talent... he's got character, he's a good person, he's humble, and he seems fine to me, but with a young player we have to be patient and careful. He has the characteristics to be very important for the future of the national team," the coach said.

Brazil are fourth in the standings for the South American World Cup qualifiers, while their opponents Ecuador are second, behind world champions Argentina. The top six qualify directly for the World Cup.

They will host Paraguay in Sao Paulo next week and could secure an early spot at next year's World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Most Viewed

 
 
Sports

Magic Johnson Urges Fans to Make Los Angeles their World Cup Destination

Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Community Ambassador, speaks during the 30 Days to FIFA World Cup 2026 media event at SoFI Stadium before the pitch installation and temporary renaming to Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California on May 12, 2026. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)
Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Community Ambassador, speaks during the 30 Days to FIFA World Cup 2026 media event at SoFI Stadium before the pitch installation and temporary renaming to Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California on May 12, 2026. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)
TT
TT

Magic Johnson Urges Fans to Make Los Angeles their World Cup Destination

Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Community Ambassador, speaks during the 30 Days to FIFA World Cup 2026 media event at SoFI Stadium before the pitch installation and temporary renaming to Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California on May 12, 2026. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)
Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Community Ambassador, speaks during the 30 Days to FIFA World Cup 2026 media event at SoFI Stadium before the pitch installation and temporary renaming to Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California on May 12, 2026. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)

Los Angeles sports royalty and former NBA great Earvin "Magic" Johnson on Tuesday urged fans from around the world to make Los Angeles their World Cup destination, calling the city the "sports capital of the world."

A '30 Days to FIFA World Cup 2026' event at SoFi Stadium highlighted the sprawling city's desire to ensure visitors experience more than an in-and-out soccer stop, Reuters reported.

"The world game is coming to the greatest city in the world," Johnson said, beaming, at the event designed to entice travelers not only for the tournament but also for the city’s attractions and its role as a global sports hub.

Johnson, a five-time National Basketball Association champion and three-time Most Valuable Player, said this was the time to be in Los Angeles ⁠because "great events are ⁠coming to our city," including the World Cup, the NFL Super Bowl, and the 2028 Olympics.

Los Angeles hosts eight World Cup matches, featuring the national teams of the United States, Paraguay, Iran, New Zealand, Switzerland, Bosnia, Belgium and Türkiye.

The expanded tournament will be played across North America, with matches in 16 host cities in Mexico, the United States and Canada. It will feature 48 national ⁠teams, up from the usual 32.

Local and visiting fans will be able to enjoy a "giant soccer carnival" across the city, said Kathryn Schloessman, President and CEO of Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission and host committee CEO.

The city's commitment to affordable transportation options was also underlined, with $1.75 tickets to the stadium standing in stark contrast to some of the prices that have drawn controversy on the East Coast.

The World Cup's local impact has been debated for months. Critics have raised concerns about regional homelessness, poverty and the cost to taxpayers, warning that the most vulnerable could be hit by price increases, housing ⁠pressures linked to ⁠the event and disruption to urban services.

Los Angeles is also hosting the tournament's US opening ceremony on June 12, featuring pop star Katy Perry. The show follows an opening ceremony in Mexico City the day before and another in Toronto earlier on June 12, underscoring the tournament’s three-country footprint.

While best known for US sports powerhouses such as the Lakers, Dodgers, Rams and Chargers, Los Angeles has also attracted high-profile soccer stars late in their careers, including David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Steven Gerrard, all of whom played for the LA Galaxy.

The city's World Cup committee has taken advantage of its proximity to Hollywood's famous residents by involving Snoop Dogg, Eva Longoria, Will Ferrell and other celebrities as "community ambassadors."

Sports

Man City Boss Guardiola: VAR Decisions Like the Flip of a Coin

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gestures during the English Premier League match between Manchester City and Brentford FC, in Manchester, Britain, 09 May 2026. EPA/GARY OAKLEY
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gestures during the English Premier League match between Manchester City and Brentford FC, in Manchester, Britain, 09 May 2026. EPA/GARY OAKLEY
TT
TT

Man City Boss Guardiola: VAR Decisions Like the Flip of a Coin

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gestures during the English Premier League match between Manchester City and Brentford FC, in Manchester, Britain, 09 May 2026. EPA/GARY OAKLEY
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola gestures during the English Premier League match between Manchester City and Brentford FC, in Manchester, Britain, 09 May 2026. EPA/GARY OAKLEY

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola compared the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system to the flip of a coin on Tuesday and said his side must play well enough to avoid any impact from decisions that go against them.

VAR has been under renewed scrutiny this week after West Ham United’s late equalizer against Premier League leaders Arsenal was disallowed, a decision that could prove crucial in the title ⁠race.

“The only thing ⁠we can do is do it (perform) better, that is only in your control,” Reuters quoted Guardiola as telling reporters ahead of Wednesday's home game against Crystal Palace.

“We lost the two finals of the FA Cup because ⁠the referees didn’t do their jobs they should do, even the VAR. When this happens it is because we have to do better, not the referees or VAR.

"I never trust anything since I arrived (at City) a long time ago. I learned you have to do it better, be in a position to do it better because (if not) ⁠you ⁠blame yourself with what you have to do, because (VAR) is a flip of a coin."

City trail Arsenal by five points but have played one game fewer than the London side.

“We play in this game, we go to Bournemouth and the last game in Aston Villa. The important one is tomorrow and we will see what happens to the next games," Guardiola said.

Sports

Saudi National Team Advances to AFC U-17 Asian Cup Quarterfinals as Group Winner

Saudi players celebrate (Saudi National Team)
Saudi players celebrate (Saudi National Team)
TT
TT

Saudi National Team Advances to AFC U-17 Asian Cup Quarterfinals as Group Winner

Saudi players celebrate (Saudi National Team)
Saudi players celebrate (Saudi National Team)

The Saudi Arabian under-17 football team advanced to the quarterfinals of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup as the top team in Group A with seven points, following a 5-5 draw against Tajikistan in the third round of the group stage at the auxiliary stadium of King Abdullah Sports City.

The third-round matches in Groups C and D will continue Wednesday.