From the slums, the post-00s Vinicius will dance until the World Cup final

Brazil's first three games in this World Cup have been 0-0 at half-time. Vinicius' first goal set up an emphatic victory, with Brazil scoring four goals in the first half to seal the victory. Brazil beat South Korea 4-1 in the Round of 16 early Wednesday (Beijing time) to stay on course for their goal.

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Vinicius (top) drives the ball during the game.

Idol motivation has become the heritage of Brazilian football

Hailed as the "new Neymar" on his debut, Vinicius is certainly following in the footsteps of his predecessors. Vinicius scored the first goal for the Selecao against South Korea, making him the youngest Brazilian player to score at a World Cup in eight years since Neymar at the 2014 World Cup at 22 years, 146 days. Born on July 12, 2000, he is a standard member of the post-00s generation.

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Vinicius.

"Neymar has been through a lot at a young age and he was under a lot of pressure at the time. Because of what he went through, it's easier for the younger players now, "Vinicius said." We grew up looking up to him as our idol. He is very important to us as a leader in the team. While he's helping us, we're helping him and it's going to make it a much more enjoyable World Cup experience for us as a team."

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Brazil's Vinicius (R) competes with South Korea's Kim Wenhuan during the match on Dec. 5.

In fact, Vinicius himself had become an idol. Palmeiras' 16 - year - old striker Luis Ndric has been named as Real Madrid's next target. "I think he can conquer the world. He will be one of the brightest stars of this World Cup in Qatar. I believe Vinicius and Neymar can be the best team."

"To be honest, I never thought I'd be friends with Vinnie because I'd only ever seen him play on TV." "Endrick said. Ndric's move to Real Madrid will reportedly be finalised in December. His dream will soon become a reality.

Before the match, Pele, who was rumored to be critically ill, took to social media to inspire Brazil's players: "In 1958, in Sweden, I was walking down the street thinking about fulfilling a promise I made to my father. I know that many in the Brazilian team have made similar commitments and are also aiming for their first World Cup. I want to encourage you, my friends, I will be watching from the hospital and will be supporting each of you. We go through this journey together. Good luck to our Brazilian team!"

The Brazilian players also gave Pele their victory after winning the final eight. "I want to be able to give Pele a big hug," Vinicius said after the game. This victory is for him. I wish him well, recover from his condition and we will win the World Cup for him."

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Brazilian players display banners wishing Pele the "King of the ball" after the match.

In a game where they had a different dance for every goal, Brazil did it four times in the first 40 minutes, turning the 974 stadium into a samba stage. Former Manchester United captain and Ireland legend Roy Keane blasted Brazil for showing a lack of respect for their opponents.

Vinicius responded: "Where is the best stage to respond to those who criticize our dancing? We're going to keep dancing until the final."

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Neymar (far right) celebrates his goal with teammates Vinicius (far left), Rafinha (second left) and Paquetta (second right).

From SAN Gonzalo to the World Cup stage

Vinicius grew up in SAN Gonzalo, one of the poorest and least policed cities in Rio de Janeiro state. There, drug traffickers and police often engage in fierce battles, and children take to the rubbish-strewn streets to play soccer when the gunfire falls silent.

"It's not even a door," said Paulo Roberto, a former neighbor, pointing to the house where the Vinicius family once lived. "It's a door with boards nailed to the frame. If you ring the doorbell, no one will even answer. Because the people who live here live in a state of fear. If you don't know the visitor, it's best to keep quiet. Pooh keeps himself out of trouble, which is not something every kid here can do."

"We could tell from the beginning that Vinicius wanted to be a professional." "Said Roberto.

Vinicius got his start at the age of six when he joined a local football school in partnership with Flamengo Club. There, he soon showed his distinctive talent.

"He stood out from the rest of the kids with his extraordinary ability and speed." Abrams, his first coach, said. "When we played, opponents tried to put men on him, but it never really happened. He's so fast, no one can keep up with him and he's almost unstoppable on the floor."

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Brazil's Vinicius (center) breaks through during the match.

At the age of 10, Vinicius officially joined Flamengo's youth academy. Carlos Noval, the club's director of youth development, described Vinicius's style as "unpredictable and fearless". "He looks as if he is not afraid of anything and can change directions with the ball in an instant."

"We knew even then that SAN Gonzalo was too small for him," Abrantes said.

In 2017, Vinicius made a splash at the Youth Cup in Sao Paulo. Most of the players in the tournament, Brazil's most prestigious youth tournament, are three years his senior. After that tournament, he went to Chile with the Brazilian national youth team for the South American Under-17 Championship, where he scored seven goals and won a winner's medal, and his fame soared.

In May 2017, Real Madrid agreed with Flamengo that they would sign Vinicius when he turned 18. At the time, Vinicius had logged just 17 minutes in adult games.

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Vinicius.

"When he was very young, I believed he was going to be one of the best players in the world," Noval said. "He should be the only player that made me feel that way."

Joining the club at a young age, Vinicius didn't have an easy ride from the start. But he gradually found his place in "Galactus." After the 2021-22 season, Vinicius scored a total of 17 goals and 10 assists in the league and was named in the La Liga Team of the Year by several media. He also scored three goals and six goals in the Champions League, one of which helped Real Madrid win their 14th ever Champions League trophy.

"Opponents can expect a Brazil team that is not only very strong, but will give everything to win," Vinicius said before leaving for Qatar.