Brazil have arrived in Kolkata for their international friendly against India, with the five-time world champions preparing to take on the hosts at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Saturday, 3 October. Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm Bangladesh time.
The match has particular significance for Vinicius Junior, who is returning to India a decade after his first visit. The Real Madrid forward is now one of the most prominent figures in Brazil’s squad, but his connection with Indian football dates back to his teenage years.
Vinicius first travelled to India in 2016 for the inaugural BRICS Under-17 football tournament in Goa. Brazil, India, China, Russia and South Africa took part in the competition, which brought together youth sides from the BRICS nations. Brazil won the title, with Vinicius making a major contribution by finishing as the tournament’s leading scorer with four goals.
The Brazilian forward still remembers that trip fondly. In an interview with CBF TV, the media outlet of the Brazilian Football Confederation, Vinicius spoke about the unexpected bond he developed with Indian supporters during his early years.
He recalled that, as a young player, he had never imagined he would return to India one day. He also said he had not realised at the time how much affection Indian fans already had for him.
Vinicius explained that he became aware of the level of support during the BRICS tournament. Even after leaving India, he continued to receive messages from supporters. The experience remained with him as his career progressed and he eventually established himself as a key player for both Real Madrid and Brazil.
His return comes at a very different stage of his career. No longer the promising teenager who featured in a youth tournament, Vinicius is now expected to play a central role in Brazil’s attack. His presence will be particularly significant against India because Raphinha has been ruled out through injury.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti is also expected to make significant changes to his starting line-up. As many as seven alterations could be made for the match against India, continuing the manager’s approach of using the international friendlies to assess different combinations.
Ancelotti has already shown his willingness to rotate his squad during the current international window. Brazil drew 1-1 with Australia in their first friendly, before the coach made seven changes for the second match. The reshuffled side responded with a 4-2 victory.
The Brazilian manager selected a 26-player squad for three friendlies during the FIFA international break. With the matches serving as an opportunity to assess his options, Ancelotti has been giving players chances to feature rather than relying exclusively on a settled starting XI.
The fixture against India is another opportunity to examine the squad in competitive match conditions. It also gives Brazilian players a chance to build familiarity with different combinations as the team continues its preparations.
For India, the match represents a major test against one of the most successful nations in international football. Playing Brazil on home soil will also give Indian supporters the chance to see several high-profile Brazilian players in person, with Vinicius likely to attract much of the attention.
For the Real Madrid star, however, the occasion will have a more personal dimension. Ten years after arriving in Goa as a young forward, he is back in India as one of Brazil’s leading attacking players. The setting may be familiar, but his status has changed dramatically.
Now the Indian crowd will watch the same player who once made his mark in a youth tournament, only this time wearing Brazil’s senior colours and preparing for a meeting at the highest level of international football.
