The Selecao forward, a top contender for the Ballon d’Or, is preparing for the tournament in the United States from June 20 to July 14.
Vinicius has expressed his determination: “I want to win Copa America. I still don’t have a title with Brazil, and I hope now is the time. I will give everything.”
But will it be enough to power Brazil to Copa America glory in the United States?
The Real Madrid forward has been a key figure for Brazil in recent times, playing 28 times, scoring three goals and making four assists. He debuted internationally in September 2019 and has played in Copa America 2021 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
And with Al Hilal forward Neymar Junior set to miss the Copa, Vinicius’s impact would be more significant than ever.
The 23-year-old arrives for the tournament in the form of his life.
Vinicius had an impressive 2023-24 season with Madrid, helping the team secure three trophies. He scored in their 2-0 UEFA Champions League final victory over Borussia Dortmund on June 1. Throughout the season, he scored 24 goals and made 11 assists in 39 matches. Madrid also won La Liga and the Supercopa de Espana.
However, Vinicius has yet to achieve similar success with Brazil. The team lost 1-0 to Argentina in the Copa America 2021 final and was knocked out of the 2022 World Cup in the quarterfinals, losing to Croatia on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
All that could change this year, though.
At the Copa, Brazil have been drawn into a tough-looking Group D alongside Colombia, Paraguay, and Costa Rica. However, the Selecao, with the talents of Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli and Real Madrid-owned trio of Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Endrick, should have enough to make it to the knockout rounds.
If the bookmaker’s predictions go according to the outlines, Brazil could go all the way to the final where a potential faceoff against eternal rivals Argentina awaits.
A Copa America triumph will seal Vinicius’s legacy with Brazil and install him as the undoubted front-runner for this year’s Ballon d’Or.