Vinícius Júnior thanks Ancelotti for success

DOHA, Qatar (AP):

Brazil forward Vinicius Junior praised Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti for his success at the World Cup.

Vinicius Junior arrived in Qatar without knowing if he was going to get a chance to start for Brazil but heading into Friday's quarterfinal match against Croatia, no one questions his spot in the line-up or his importance for the team.

He said Ancelotti was one of the people who guided him ahead of soccer's biggest tournament.

"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," the 22-year-old Vinicius Junior said yesterday. "He was always tough with me when he needed to be. He is like a father to me."

Vinicius Junior was often questioned at Madrid while Zinedine Zidane was the coach but quickly established himself as a starter with Ancelotti in command. The Brazil forward said the Italian coach is always sending him messages.

"He is good not only with the technical aspects of the game but also with how he deals with his players," Vinicius Junior said. "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."

Vinicius Junior, who has a goal and two assists in the three World Cup games, said he also learned from Madrid midfielder Luka Modric, who will be one of his opponents on Friday at Education City Stadium.

Vinicius Junior said the pass he gave for Lucas Paqueta's goal in the round of 16 against South Korea, using the outside of his foot, was something he learned from Modric at Madrid.

"He is always teaching me things, on and off the field," Vinicius Junior said. "He helps me every day, making sure I'm always improving. He is a reference to me, playing at a high level at 37 years old, that is something rare. I'm happy that I'll be playing against him, and let the best team win."

Within Brazil's national team, Vinicius Junior said he also gets advice from Neymar.

"He told me how the World Cup is different than anything else," Vinicius Junior said. "He told me that, and I always remember it and when the national anthem played, I realised what it all meant."