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Five-time world champions Brazil will take on India in the first-ever international friendly between the sides this Saturday at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. For Brazil star Vinicius Jr, the visit has brought back some happy memories.
Ten years ago, the forward was part of Brazil's Under-17 side that lifted the BRICS Cup in India. The five nations who formed the BRICS alliance at that time – Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, and India – took part in the tournament.
Vinicius Jr, who was 16 years old at the time, was Brazil's standout player in the competition. He registered five goals in five fixtures and won the top scorer award.
ALSO READ |India one of Brazil's biggest fanbases outside home, golden opportunity to play here: Marquinhos
In an interview with CBF TV, Vini recalled his time in India. He stated that he was happy to be back in the country and mentioned he had received a lot of messages from Indian fans.
Vinicius Jr on his ‘good memories’ of India
The Real Madrid forward said that he never knew that he would ever come back to India. "They are good memories because I came here when I was a kid,” he said about his visit to the country in 2016.
“I didn't know I would come back here, and I didn't know that even back then the (Indian) fans already had a lot of affection for me, because I came to this competition and right after that there was the World Cup and I couldn't come,” he added.
Speaking of his upcoming game against the Blue Tigers, Vinicius said, “It's something special for us, playing here against India is different, it doesn't always happen.”
ALSO READ | India loves cricket, but that doesn't mean they don't love football: Ancelotti
He expressed his happiness about the match and added that Saturday would be ‘a great day’ for both Indian fans and the Brazilian football team.
“We hope to have a great game, that the fans can enjoy it a lot and that we can come back here more often," Vini concluded.
Brazil’s recent performance
This is the third consecutive friendly for Brazil after their disappointing World Cup exit in the round of 16.
The Selecao took part in a training session at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on Friday, to loud cheers from spectators and journalists.
Under new coach Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil are hoping to build a new side over the coming years. Their first major goal is the 2028 Copa America.
The team drew 1-1 in their opening friendly against Australia before bouncing back with a 4-2 win in the second fixture.
Ten years ago, the forward was part of Brazil's Under-17 side that lifted the BRICS Cup in India. The five nations who formed the BRICS alliance at that time – Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, and India – took part in the tournament.
Vinicius Jr, who was 16 years old at the time, was Brazil's standout player in the competition. He registered five goals in five fixtures and won the top scorer award.
ALSO READ |India one of Brazil's biggest fanbases outside home, golden opportunity to play here: Marquinhos
In an interview with CBF TV, Vini recalled his time in India. He stated that he was happy to be back in the country and mentioned he had received a lot of messages from Indian fans.
Vinicius Jr on his ‘good memories’ of India
The Real Madrid forward said that he never knew that he would ever come back to India. "They are good memories because I came here when I was a kid,” he said about his visit to the country in 2016.
“I didn't know I would come back here, and I didn't know that even back then the (Indian) fans already had a lot of affection for me, because I came to this competition and right after that there was the World Cup and I couldn't come,” he added.
Speaking of his upcoming game against the Blue Tigers, Vinicius said, “It's something special for us, playing here against India is different, it doesn't always happen.”
ALSO READ | India loves cricket, but that doesn't mean they don't love football: Ancelotti
He expressed his happiness about the match and added that Saturday would be ‘a great day’ for both Indian fans and the Brazilian football team.
“We hope to have a great game, that the fans can enjoy it a lot and that we can come back here more often," Vini concluded.
Brazil’s recent performance
This is the third consecutive friendly for Brazil after their disappointing World Cup exit in the round of 16.
The Selecao took part in a training session at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on Friday, to loud cheers from spectators and journalists.
Under new coach Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil are hoping to build a new side over the coming years. Their first major goal is the 2028 Copa America.
The team drew 1-1 in their opening friendly against Australia before bouncing back with a 4-2 win in the second fixture.
