Brazil coach Diniz excited about Neymar/Vinicius combination

Brazil coach Fernando Diniz is looking forward to seeing Neymar and Vinicius Jr playing together in Thursday's 2026 World Cup qualifier against Venezuela and said he is working to build a sense of unity in the side. Diniz took temporary charge of Brazil when Tite left the role following their quarter-final exit at the World Cup in Qatar and will be replaced by Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti next year. Neymar and Vinicius Junior participated together in the team’s match against Venezuela on Thursday in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup finals. Diniz (49 years old) took over as coach of Brazil temporarily after Tite's departure following the team's exit in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and he will be replaced by Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti next year. However, the 49-year-old coach, who splits his time with club side Fluminense, still hopes to make his mark with the national team and keep them top of the South American qualifying competition. "(Neymar and Vinicius) are extremely good players, very intelligent, skillful and they like each other, there is also Rodrygo, a player of a very high level," he said. "We hope they get on well in tomorrow's game, as they have done in training, and that they can have a great game."