Brazilian head coach Dorival Jr has revealed that Barcelona winger Raphinha will take over penalty duties for the national team moving forward.
The decision comes after Vinicius Jr missed a spot-kick during Brazil’s recent 1-1 draw with Venezuela, despite Raphinha impressing with a stunning free-kick in that match.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Dorival explained the change in roles:
“Both Raphinha and Vinicius were prepared to take penalties. In the last game, Vini stepped up, but if we win a penalty tomorrow, Raphinha will take it. Athletes grow through experiences, learning to handle situations in their careers. Our role as coaches is to guide them, but ultimately, the player must find their own path.”
Brazil are set to face Uruguay next in World Cup qualifiers. Currently, Argentina lead the standings with 22 points, followed by Uruguay and Colombia on 19, while Brazil sits fourth with 17 points.
