Neymar’s Surprising England Choice and Brazil’s Tactical Shift: Jadon Sancho, Vinicius Jr, and the Changing Face of Football

Neymar’s Unexpected England Favorite: The Story Behind the Choice

In the unpredictable world of football, even the stars surprise us. Neymar, one of Brazil’s brightest icons, once revealed his favorite England player was Jadon Sancho—a choice that raised eyebrows across continents. This wasn’t a casual compliment. Neymar described Sancho as “special,” a player with flair and quality, during a period when Sancho’s career seemed destined for the heights. But fate, as football so often proves, had other plans.

The revelation came in 2020, just before Paris Saint-Germain faced Borussia Dortmund in a Champions League round of 16 clash. At the time, Sancho was dazzling for Dortmund, notching 12 goals and 13 assists in just 19 league appearances. The Englishman, only 19, had left Manchester City for more opportunities and quickly became a sensation in Germany. Neymar, preparing to face him, didn’t hold back his praise: “Jadon is a player that I really like to play and he is a great player with plenty of quality,” he said, according to SportBible. It was a moment of mutual respect—Sancho, in turn, told Bild that Neymar was his role model, admiring the Brazilian’s creativity and daring on the pitch.

Sancho’s Rise and Struggles: From Dortmund to Manchester and Beyond

At Dortmund, Sancho’s performances drew interest from Europe’s elite. The club valued him at £100 million—a testament to his perceived potential. In 2021, he made a high-profile move to Manchester United, returning to England in a £73 million deal. Hopes were high; fans and pundits alike expected Sancho to become a fixture for both club and country.

But football, like life, rarely follows a straight path. Sancho’s time at United has been troubled. Despite flashes of brilliance, he struggled to cement his place in the starting lineup. Loans back to Dortmund and to Chelsea followed, but neither stint reignited his spark. Most recently, he found himself at Aston Villa, with the club reportedly paying 80% of his wages on top of a loan fee. The promise that once surrounded him faded, replaced by questions about what went wrong.

The national stage has been equally challenging. Sancho debuted for England in October 2018, collecting 23 caps and featuring in the Euro 2020 final squad. Yet, since 2021, he’s been absent from the Three Lions’ plans, left out of the last two major tournament squads. As the 2026 World Cup approaches, under manager Thomas Tuchel, Sancho’s international future remains uncertain.

Brazil’s Tactical Shift: Vinicius Jr Steps Up as Neymar Faces New Challenges

While Sancho’s trajectory has hit turbulence, Brazil is undergoing its own transformation. Neymar, now 33, has battled injuries that have kept him sidelined for extended periods. In his absence, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr has emerged as a key figure in Brazil’s attack—a shift orchestrated by newly appointed national coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Vinicius Jr’s journey is the opposite of Sancho’s recent struggles. Under Ancelotti, who previously coached him at Madrid, Vinicius has flourished. Since the Italian took charge of Brazil, Vinicius has scored two goals in six games and now boasts eight international goals in 43 caps. Ancelotti, always the tactician, is experimenting with Vinicius’s role. Speaking to PLACAR, he explained his strategy: “I see him as a winger or as a central striker. Vinícius has the quality to score many goals. I’ve spoken to him: Look, when you’re playing as a winger, to score goals you have to do three or four dribbles. Touch the ball seven or eight times. And in the centre, just one well-timed movement is enough to score a goal. He understood it, he likes playing in that position.”

Ancelotti isn’t just focused on Vinicius. He’s also considering a new role for Neymar, one that fits his body and helps avoid the injuries that have plagued the Brazilian star. The coach continues to tinker with tactics, seeking ways to maximize the strengths of his squad ahead of a busy international calendar. Brazil faces friendlies against Senegal and Tunisia in November, with only two more practice games in March before heading to North America for the 2026 World Cup.

The Changing Face of Football: Lessons from Neymar and Vinicius

Football’s landscape is shaped by constant change—by the rise and fall of stars, by tactical innovation, and by the unpredictable twists of fate. Neymar’s admiration for Sancho reminds us that talent can shine anywhere, even if the path forward is uncertain. Vinicius Jr’s ascent under Ancelotti highlights the importance of adaptability, both for players and managers.

For Sancho, the journey has been one of promise, setbacks, and perseverance. His story is a cautionary tale about the pressures young players face and the thin line between stardom and struggle. For Vinicius and Brazil, it’s about seizing opportunity, embracing new roles, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

In the end, football is more than a game—it’s a reflection of life itself. The choices players make, the praise they receive, and the challenges they overcome become part of the sport’s rich tapestry. Neymar’s words about Sancho may seem surprising now, but they capture a moment when anything felt possible. As Brazil and England look to the future, the stories of Sancho, Vinicius, and Neymar continue to evolve, reminding us that in football, as in life, the only constant is change.

Looking at Neymar’s unexpected endorsement of Jadon Sancho and Brazil’s tactical evolution under Carlo Ancelotti, we see how quickly fortunes can shift in football—where yesterday’s rising star may struggle and today’s tactical rethink can forge new heroes. These intertwined stories highlight the importance of resilience and adaptability, both on and off the pitch.