Qatar 2022: Vinicius Jr credits Ancelotti for his form

Brazil star Vinicius Junior has hailed Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti's role in him becoming a Brazil starter as he stars at the World Cup in Qatar.

Vinicius has started three of Brazil's four matches so far, scoring one goal and assisting two more. His place in the starting XI comes amid his starring role for Real Madrid, as he was involved in nine goals in La Liga and five in the Champions League this season before the competition.

He has revealed that his club coach was a big influence on him ahead of the trip to Qatar, as he told reporters: "I talked with Ancelotti and he gave me a lot of advice to help me become a starter with Brazil. He gave me a lot of confidence. He was always was tough with me when he needed to be. He is like a father to me.

"He is good not only with the technical aspects of the game, but also with how he deals with his players. I have been improving a lot and Ancelotti has helped me with that. He and [Brazil coach] Tite are very similar and they talk to each other a lot."

Ancelotti is not the only figure who has been guiding Vinicius, however, as he revealed Brazil co-stars Lucas Paqueta and Neymar have been his teachers in recent weeks. "[Neymar] told me how the World Cup is different than anything else," he added. "He told me that, and I always remember it. And when the national anthem played, I realized what it all meant."