• Vitor Reis speaks exclusively to FIFA

• The young centre-back earned his first senior Seleção call-up in March

• Strong performances for Girona have put him in contention for Brazil’s World Cup squad

Vitor Reis is establishing himself as one of Brazil’s most promising prospects and his push for a place in Carlo Ancelotti's FIFA World Cup 2026™ squad is gathering pace.

The centre-back is shining in La Liga for Girona, where he is on loan from Manchester City. After receiving a call-up in March this year, Reis no longer sees the World Cup as a distant dream but a genuine possibility.

That said, he has already competed at a global competition. The budding leader captained Brazil at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023™ after also leading his country to the South American U-17 Championship title earlier that year. Those experiences gave him an early understanding of the responsibility and pride that come with representing his country on the international stage.

“The U-17 World Cup was a hugely important milestone for me,” Reis told FIFA in an exclusive interview. “Playing for Brazil in a tournament of that magnitude makes you fully appreciate the responsibility of representing your country. The experience only strengthened my ambition to make it to the senior team and play in the World Cup. You begin to see that it is within reach, and that drives you to work even harder.”

That feeling only grew stronger after Ancelotti included him in the matchday squad for Brazil’s 3-1 friendly triumph over Croatia on 31 March this year. Though Reis remained on the bench for the game, being part of the set-up still left a lasting impression.

“My time with the senior side was very special,” he said. “What struck me the most was the level of focus and professionalism from everyone, from the most experienced players to the coaching staff. Seeing up close how they prepare and communicate and experiencing everyday life with the national team was a massive learning curve. Those are the kinds of things you carry with you throughout your career.”

Young players like Reis are often viewed as ones to watch for the future, but the he already sees himself as someone who can contribute to the here and now.

“Being in that environment makes the dream feel even more real while simultaneously heightening your sense of responsibility,” he explained. “You come back with an even greater drive to work hard and improve because you know what it takes to get there. Playing at the World Cup has become an even clearer goal in my mind.”

Spending time alongside household names in the Brazil dressing room also left an impression beyond the tactical and technical sides of the game. Brief conversations and subtle gestures helped build his confidence and sharpen his focus.

“I felt right at home from the moment I arrived. In training, I managed to settle in and play with confidence. I also chatted with some of the more experienced players, who gave me a real boost and shared simple but invaluable advice. Those are the kinds of things that stay with you and spur you on to keep improving."

Among the standout moments during that same international window was the chance to speak directly with Ancelotti, the decorated Italian tactician now at the helm of the Seleção.

“We had a conversation – it was brief but indispensable,” revealed Reis. “He and the coaching staff spoke about the qualities they like in my game, especially my ability to play out from the back and my defensive awareness.”

Those characteristics have become key to his development since moving to Europe, and Reis opened up on how his game has improved.

“I’ve come on leaps and bounds in several aspects,” he said. “The game here is more intense and tactical, demanding split-second decisions all the time. I think I’ve grown a lot in terms of positioning, focus and physical development. The experience has been fundamental. When the opportunity comes, the demands are extremely high.”

At Girona – a side widely lauded for their competitive, attacking style of play in La Liga – the Brazilian has found the ideal environment to refine his blend of defensive solidity and composure in possession.

On 10 April, the youngster helped keep Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior at bay to see Girona earn a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Real Madrid for the second time this season. A couple of months earlier, on 16 February, Girona came from behind to beat Barcelona 2-1, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal both featuring for the visitors.

Not once was Reis beaten in a 1v1, and he also won the ball back and instigated the move that led to his side’s decisive second goal. Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo described his display as “imperious" and added he was "a duel-winning machine in the box”.

On the defenders he most looks up to, Reis revealed: "I really like watching centre-backs who combine skill with intelligence. My two biggest inspirations are Thiago Silva and Marquinhos. I’ve always admired defenders who read the game well, anticipate danger and can comfortably play out from the back. I try to take something from each of them and adapt it to my own game.”

His choice of role models is telling. Across the current cycle and the next, Brazil’s backline is expected to undergo a natural renewal, creating opportunities for younger players who can mix defensive dependability with quality build-up play.

“I think what makes me stand out is that blend of qualities,” said Reis. “I strive to be reliable while also contributing in possession, with good distribution and vision. I’m very eager to learn and develop. I’m aware that competition is fierce, but I want to carve out my place through hard work and consistency.”