Vinicius Lashed Out Against the Criticism That Claims He Didn’t Want to Take the Penalty Against Norway in the FIFA World Cup 2026

Vinicius responded to the criticism after Brazil's elimination and made it clear that he never shied away from the responsibility of the penalty.

One of Brazil's worst defeats

Brazil's elimination in the round of 16 of the World Cup against Norway not only marked a historic blow, the earliest exit since 1990, but also sparked a debate about the penalty that could have changed the course of the match. With the score still at zero, Matheus Cunha was brought down in the area and the referee awarded a penalty. The execution was in the hands of Bruno Guimarães, whose shot was saved by the Norwegian goalkeeper, and from there the criticism toward Vinicius began.

Vinicius' response

The Real Madrid forward, an undisputed figure with four goals in the tournament, was accused of supposedly avoiding responsibility. However, he responded firmly, explaining that the decision had been made in advance by the coaching staff and that he never sought individual prominence. "The coach chose Bruno because he considered him the most prepared. I am always ready, but I respect the decisions. It's not about ego, but about what is best for the team," he stated.

Vinicius also made it clear that his commitment is not in doubt: "Some will say that I hid, but that's not true. At Madrid, I take penalties when it's my turn. This time it wasn't like that, and I accept it. The important thing is to learn and prepare ourselves better for what is to come."

Ancelotti's explanation

Carlo Ancelotti backed the player and detailed that the choice was based on statistics collected over the past year. According to that analysis, Neymar is the best executor, followed by Igor Thiago, Raphinha, Bruno Guimarães, and Martinelli. "At that moment, Bruno was the most suitable on the field," explained the coach.

Far from placing blame, Vinicius concluded by supporting his teammate: "There was no discussion. It was the right decision, even tho the result didn't support it. Bruno had a great World Cup and doesn't deserve to be remembered just for that penalty. In football, you win and you lose, the important thing is to keep your head held high."