Vinicius Jr enters Brazil folklore with historic World Cup feat, joins Ronaldo and Rivaldo in elite club

Brazil forward Vinicius Jr has added another chapter to his growing legacy, becoming only the third Brazilian player to score in three different FIFA World Cups and joining football icons Ronaldo and Rivaldo in an exclusive national record book.

The 25-year-old winger achieved the feat during Brazil's dominant group-stage campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, further cementing his status as one of the tournament's standout performers. Having already found the net in the 2022 and 2026 editions, Vinicius' earlier World Cup goal in Qatar ensured he became part of a select group of Brazilian greats to score across three separate tournaments.

The achievement places him alongside Ronaldo, Brazil's all-time World Cup leading scorer, and Rivaldo, one of the key figures behind the Selecao's triumphant 2002 World Cup campaign. The milestone is particularly significant given Brazil's rich footballing history and the number of legendary forwards who have represented the five-time world champions.

Vinicius has played a pivotal role in Brazil's progress through Group C. His pace, creativity and attacking threat have made him one of the most dangerous players in the competition, helping Brazil finish ahead of Morocco, Scotland and Haiti in a challenging group.

The Real Madrid star's influence extends beyond goals. Since taking on a more central role within the national team setup, Vinicius has emerged as one of the leaders of a new-generation Brazil side seeking to reclaim the World Cup crown for the first time since 2002.

Brazil concluded the group stage unbeaten and without major scares, including a convincing 3-0 victory over Scotland in their final Group C fixture. The result ensured the South American giants advanced comfortably to the knockout rounds and reinforced their credentials as one of the favourites to lift the trophy.

For Brazilian supporters, Vinicius' latest accomplishment carries symbolic value. Comparisons with Ronaldo and Rivaldo are inevitable, but the winger continues to carve out his own identity on the international stage. His ability to deliver in football's biggest tournament has increasingly placed him among the defining figures of modern Brazilian football.

With the knockout phase now approaching, Vinicius will have further opportunities to extend his record and potentially guide Brazil toward a long-awaited sixth World Cup title. Should he continue his current form, the forward may soon find himself mentioned not only alongside Ronaldo and Rivaldo, but among the greatest World Cup performers Brazil has ever produced.