Five-time world champions Brazil have arrived in Kolkata ahead of their international friendly against India, with the match set to take place at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Saturday, 3 October. Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm Bangladesh time.
The fixture has an added sense of occasion for Vinicius Junior. The Real Madrid forward is returning to India ten years after first visiting the country as a teenage footballer. He arrives this time not as an emerging prospect, but as one of the most recognisable players in Brazil’s current squad.
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. Brazil went on to win the title, with Vinicius playing a prominent role and finishing as the tournament’s leading scorer with four goals.
A decade later, the memories of that visit remain vivid for the Brazilian forward. Speaking to CBF TV, the media outlet of the Brazilian Football Confederation, Vinicius recalled the warmth he received from Indian supporters during the tournament.
He said his return was particularly meaningful because, as a youngster, he had never imagined that he would come back to India. He also admitted that he did not fully realise at the time how much affection Indian fans already had for him.
The BRICS tournament was also an important period in the early development of his career. Vinicius said it was during that competition that he became aware of the level of support he was receiving in India. Even after leaving the country, he continued to receive messages from supporters who followed his progress closely.
His career has since taken him to the highest levels of the game. After establishing himself at Real Madrid, Vinicius became a regular presence in Brazil’s senior set-up and one of the team’s key attacking players. His return to India therefore carries a very different context from his first visit a decade ago.
Against India, Vinicius is expected to feature prominently. Brazil could make as many as seven changes to their starting line-up, but the Real Madrid star is expected to retain his place. Raphinha’s absence through injury could also increase the attacking responsibility placed on Vinicius.
For Indian supporters, it means another opportunity to see one of world football’s leading forwards on home soil. His previous appearance in India came when he was still a teenager. This time, the expectations surrounding him are considerably greater.
Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has been using the current international window to assess his squad and experiment with different combinations. In their first friendly against Australia, Brazil were held to a 1-1 draw. Ancelotti then made seven changes for the second match, with Brazil responding with a 4-2 victory.
The changes reflect the purpose of the current series of friendlies. Ancelotti named a 26-man squad for three matches during the FIFA international break and has been giving players opportunities to demonstrate their ability at international level.
Rather than settling immediately on one combination, the Brazil manager has been examining different options within the squad. The match against India provides another chance to rotate the side and assess players in different roles and partnerships.
For India, meanwhile, the fixture represents a significant challenge. Facing Brazil at home gives the Indian players an opportunity to test themselves against a side packed with internationally established talent. The occasion is also expected to attract considerable attention from supporters, particularly because of Vinicius’ return.
Ten years ago, Vinicius left India as a promising young forward who had scored four goals in a youth tournament. He has returned as a major figure in Brazilian football. His appearance in Kolkata will therefore be more than just another international friendly—it will mark the latest chapter in a connection with India that began when his senior career was still ahead of him.
