Haaland and Vini Jr. trade jokes over viral ‘As Branquelas’ meme before Brazil‑Norway World Cup clash

An AI‑generated video that inserts Brazil’s Vinícius Júnior and Norway’s Erling Haaland into a scene from the film *As Branquelas* went viral on social media ahead of their round‑of‑16 match at the 2026 World Cup. The meme, shared on Instagram, shows Haaland as one of the “Branquelas” and Vini Jr. playing the role of Terry Crews. Haaland responded publicly, saying he “liked the video a lot” and jokingly invited Vini Jr. to recreate the scene in real life. Vini Jr. replied with laughter, and the exchange attracted millions of views, likes and comments, becoming a promotional hook for brands such as Coca‑Cola, Mercado Livre and Itaú.

Singer Vanessa da Mata condemned the meme, calling it “extremely bad taste” and criticizing its use of sexualised and assault‑related imagery. Her remarks sparked a debate online, with some defending the players’ humor and others echoing her concerns.

The meme’s spread coincided with the highly anticipated Brazil‑Norway knockout match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where both forwards are among the tournament’s top scorers and most valuable players. Their on‑field performances and market values have also been highlighted in separate reports as they head into the decisive game.