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Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior has stated that Brazil's legendary No. 10 jersey "belongs" to Neymar, confirming he will relinquish the number to his childhood hero ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Neymar's last appearance for the Seleção dates back to October 2023, when he was carried off the field on a stretcher after sustaining an ACL injury. In his absence, the No. 10 shirt has been shared among several players in the Brazil squad, most frequently worn by Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, and Raphinha.
Vinicius Jr wore the shirt during the March international break and appeared set to claim the number heading into this summer, but with Neymar's official return to the national team, the No. 10 will be back on his back across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
"I'm not sure what number I'll wear at the World Cup, but the No. 10 belongs to Neymar — that's a given," Vinicius Jr said in an interview with Brazilian YouTube channel CazeTV.
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Neymar Eyeing Brazil History at the 2026 World Cup
Brazil's No. 10 shirt carries a rich legacy. Legends such as Pelé, Zico, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, and Kaká all wore the number before Neymar joined that prestigious group.
This summer, however, Neymar will stand in a category of his own. The forward is poised to become the first Brazilian player ever to wear the No. 10 shirt across four separate World Cups.
That piece of history represents a fitting milestone for Neymar, Brazil's all-time top scorer with 79 goals in 128 caps. The 34-year-old was moved to tears when manager Carlo Ancelotti named him in Brazil's 26-man squad for this summer's tournament.
After a three-year absence from international football due to injuries, Neymar has made his return following a strong run of form with Santos. In 2026, the former Barcelona star has contributed six goals and four assists across 15 appearances. Crucially, he has steered clear of any serious injury setbacks, convincing Ancelotti that he is fit enough to compete at the tournament.
What Number Will Vinicius Junior Wear at the 2026 World Cup?
With Vinicius Jr having confirmed he will give up the No. 10, he now needs a new number for the 2026 World Cup. The most natural choice would be seven — the number he wears at Real Madrid.
Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha sported the No. 7 shirt during the March international break, but he would likely be expected to hand it over to Vinicius Jr, who has worn that number for Brazil on previous occasions.
The No. 20 shirt is another possibility for Vinicius Jr. He wore that number during three seasons at Real Madrid and in his earlier days representing the national team.
Brazil opens its World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 13, before facing Haiti and Scotland in Group C.