Despite the disparity in FIFA rankings, Brazil has named a star-studded squad featuring Vinícius, Raphinha, Gabriel, and Endrick for the Kolkata clash. For Vinícius, the tour serves as a return to the country where he first gained international attention. In October 2016, a 16-year-old Vinícius represented Brazil at the inaugural BRICS U-17 Football Cup held in Goa. Then a prospect in Flamengo's youth academy, he finished as the tournament's top scorer with four goals—including an 82nd-minute strike in Brazil's 3-1 victory over host nation India—as Brazil lifted the trophy. Less than a year after his Goa success, Real Madrid secured his transfer for €46 million, though the Spanish giants subsequently prevented him from participating in the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India due to his immediate integration into the senior setup.