Ancelotti: Raphinha Was Brazil’s Top Penalty Taker, Vinícius Jr Not in the Mix

Carlo Ancelotti has laid bare the truth behind Brazil’s penalty-taking hierarchy at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — and it wasn’t the story many expected.

In the wake of Brazil’s shock exit at the round of 16, where they were dumped out by Norway, the head coach revealed that Vinícius Júnior was not among the nation’s top five chosen spot-kickers. Instead, Raphinha emerged as the man entrusted with the most important kicks, according to internal data analysis.

“We ran the numbers,” Ancelotti said bluntly after the match. “And the best from the spot? It was Raphinha. That’s how we ranked them: Neymar first, then Igor Thiago, Bruno Guimarães, Martinelli — and then, beyond that, no one else made the cut.”

The revelation sparked immediate debate, especially given the high-profile nature of the players involved. Vinícius Júnior, who had been a key figure in Brazil’s build-up play, never took a penalty during the tournament — and notably declined to step up when the moment came against Norway.

That decision proved pivotal. With Brazil needing a goal to keep their hopes alive, Bruno Guimarães stepped up and sent his attempt wide. Norway advanced to the quarter-finals.

Ancelotti stood by his data-driven approach, insisting that the statistical model he used was clear-cut and objective. “We didn’t go by reputation or emotion,” he said. “We went by what the numbers showed. That’s why he was our main man.”

Still, the outcome left fans and pundits questioning the execution. Why, with Raphinha identified as the top taker, did he not take the crucial kick? And why did Vinícius — despite his status as a world-class forward — not even feature in the top five?

Ancelotti offered no further insight into the individual decisions, leaving the door open for speculation. But one thing is certain: Brazil’s early exit now carries the weight of a strategy that looked sound on paper but failed under pressure.

As the dust settles on a campaign that promised so much, Ancelotti’s penalty plan has become a defining talking point — a blend of cold logic and human error that ultimately cost Brazil a place in the next round.