The upcoming international friendly between India and Brazil at the
Long before he became a household name in European football, a teenage Vinicius Jr visited India in October 2016. At the time, he was a promising talent developing within the Flamengo youth academy, participating in the inaugural
A Dominant Campaign in Goa
During the 2016 BRICS U-17 tournament, Vinicius Jr established himself as the standout performer. Brazil enjoyed a flawless campaign, winning every match they played to secure the title. The young forward was instrumental in this success, finishing the competition as the top scorer with four goals to his name. His contributions were vital as Brazil navigated fixtures against Russia, China, South Africa, and the host nation, India.
In the group stage encounter against India, which Brazil won 3-1, Vinicius Jr made his mark by netting the final goal of the match in the 82nd minute. Following his successful stint in Goa, he was initially expected to return to India for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup. However, that appearance did not materialize, as Real Madrid opted not to release the player following his transfer to the Spanish giants.
Seeking Form on the International Stage
The upcoming fixture in Kolkata arrives at a challenging juncture for the 26-year-old. Despite a productive campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup where he netted four goals before Brazil’s exit in the Round of 16, his form for Real Madrid during the 2026-27 season has been inconsistent. Having been widely discussed as a top contender for the 2024 Ballon d'Or, the forward will look to use this international friendly as an opportunity to regain his rhythm and confidence on the field.
