Kolkata: Vinicius Jr sported the biggest smile as Brazil stepped inside the team hotel, after a 11-hour flight from Brisbane late on Friday. The star winger happily posed for pictures and signed autographs.India surely brings happy memories to Vinicius’ mind.Ten years ago, Vinicius was part of Brazil’s U-16 squad at the BRICS Cup in Goa. He did not make the brightest of starts. In fact, he wasn’t even starting games, until he proved himself with goals against Russia and India as a second-half substitute.At the end of it all, Vinicius emerged as the standout player for Brazil, scoring five goals to scoop the top scorer award.“These are good memories because I came here when I was a boy,” Vinicius said in an interview with CBF TV. “I didn’t know I would come back here, and I didn’t know that even back then the (Indian) fans already had a great affection for me, because I came to this competition and then the (U-17) World Cup happened and I couldn’t come. Everyone from India sent me messages, it’s an audience that follows me closely, loves football, loves Brazil and I’m happy to be back here.”When Vinicius landed in Goa for the BRICS Cup involving five emerging nations — Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa and India — not many had heard of him. A few months later, he was the best performer at the South American Under-17 Championship, finishing as the leading goalscorer with seven goals.Soon, Real Madrid knocked on Flamengo’s doors and came up with a record offer for the teenager who had made 22 appearances for the Brazil Under-17s.“I remember Vinicius from that game, though he wasn’t famous at the time,” said India midfielder Apuia. “After the BRICS Cup, when Vinicius was on his way to Real Madrid, everyone realised it was the same player who had featured against us. He was so quick, precise with his finishing. You could see that he had something special.”Brazil were the standout team at the BRICS Cup winning all four games comfortably.On Saturday at the Salt Lake stadium, Vinicius will wear Brazil colours again in India, this time for the senior team, and now as the country’s most famous footballer.“It will be a great day for India and for us too. We hope to have a great game, that the fans can enjoy it a lot and that we can come back here more often,” said Vinicius.
