Vinicius Junior apologises to Brazil fans after World Cup exit

Brazil were knocked out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the round of 16, losing 2‑1 to Norway at East Rutherford’s MetLife Stadium. Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior, the team’s top scorer with four goals and one assist, broke his silence on Instagram five days later. He posted a black‑and‑white photo of himself lying on the pitch and wrote that the “frustration is absurd”, thanked the supporters for their backing and said it would be “unfair to stay silent”. He apologised for the defeat and promised to keep fighting “to bring Brazil back to the top of the world”. Júnior explained that the decision to let Bruno Guimarães take the missed penalty was made by coach Carlo Ancelotti, defending the choice. He reflected on the team’s strong squad and the disappointment of exiting the tournament earlier than the nation’s expectations, noting it was Brazil’s worst World Cup performance since 1990. Ancelotti’s contract with the Brazilian federation runs until 2030, and the federation remains supportive despite the setback.