Five-time world champions Brazil have arrived in Kolkata ahead of their international friendly against hosts India, with all eyes now on the action at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. The match is scheduled for Saturday, 3 October, at 8pm Bangladesh time.
For Vinicius Junior, the visit carries a special significance. The Real Madrid forward is one of the biggest stars in the current Brazil squad, and his arrival in India has already generated considerable excitement among local football supporters. Yet this is not his first visit to the country. He is returning to India after a decade, bringing back memories from the early stages of his career.
Vinicius first came to India in 2016 for the inaugural BRICS Under-17 football tournament in Goa. The competition featured teams representing the five BRICS countries at the time: Brazil, India, China, Russia and South Africa. Brazil went on to win the tournament, with Vinicius emerging as its leading scorer after netting four goals.
The memories of that trip have clearly stayed with him. Speaking to CBF TV, the media outlet of the Brazilian Football Confederation, Vinicius recalled how unexpected it was for him, as a young player, to develop such a connection with Indian supporters.
He said the experience left him with “great memories”, adding that when he was younger he could never have imagined returning to India. He also admitted that he had not realised at the time how much affection Indian fans already had for him.
Vinicius also remembered how that period coincided with the beginning of his rise towards international prominence. He said he became aware of the support he had in India during the tournament and continued to receive messages from Indian fans afterwards, even around the time of the World Cup that followed, which he was unable to take part in.
Now, a decade later, he returns as an established international star and one of the most recognisable names in Brazilian football. His presence is expected to be one of the main attractions for spectators in Kolkata.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti could make as many as seven changes to his starting line-up against India. Vinicius, however, is expected to retain his place. With Raphinha ruled out through injury, greater responsibility is likely to fall on the Real Madrid forward in Brazil’s attacking play.
The match also forms part of Ancelotti’s wider assessment of his squad during the international break. Brazil drew 1-1 with Australia in their first friendly before making seven changes for the second match, which they won 4-2.
Ancelotti named a 26-player squad for three friendlies during the current FIFA international window. Rather than relying solely on a settled line-up, the Brazil manager has been using the matches to examine different combinations and give his players opportunities to demonstrate what they can offer.
The meeting with India is therefore another chance for Ancelotti to assess his options. For the Indian side, facing one of international football’s most decorated teams provides a demanding test on home soil.
For the fans, though, much of the attention will centre on one player. Ten years after appearing in Goa as a teenage forward, Vinicius will once again step onto Indian soil—this time wearing Brazil’s senior colours and carrying the expectations that come with being one of the country’s leading attacking players.
