Brazil striker Vinicius Junior said the national team haven’t earned the favourites tag for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Vini said Brazil haven’t been able to produce such results to be tagged as one of the favourites for the quadrennial showpiece.

“I believe that [the national team] isn’t the favourite based on the results we’ve had,” the Real Madrid forward said.

“But the weight of the jersey, the weight of the players we have here … We’re going to do everything to put Brazil on top again. We don’t want to be favorites, we want to put Brazil on top.”

Brazil are five-time champions at the World Cup but won for the last time back in 2002. In the 2014 edition, they finished in fourth place.

Brazil ended in fifth place in World Cup qualifying. The team has so far won two, drawn one and lost one since Carlo Ancelotti has taken over the coaching reins.

“We just needed to click,” Vini said. “After Ancelotti arrived, we have a better idea of how to play. He takes a lot of pressure off us.”

Vinicius has scored 17 goals and eight assists in 43 games for Madrid this season and added he is in the right space of mind.

“I’m in the happiest moment,” Vinícius said. “Everything I do at Real Madrid, I hope to do here with the national team. I don’t pay much attention to what people say. I know my job and how dedicated I am to the World Cup.

“It’s where all the players want to be. Regarding my form, I always try to be at my best, scoring goals and providing assists. I imagine everyone wants me to be one of the protagonists. I’m prepared for all the challenges in my career. I’ve already played in a World Cup, I don’t want to lose again.”

Brazil will begin their World Cup campaign against Morocco on June 13. They will also face Scotland and Haiti in Group C.