Former Brazil team manager Juninho admits Tite "didn't trust" Vinicius Jr when first working with the Real Madrid star.

Tite stepped down as Brazil coach after the December World Cup.

Juninho recalled: "Tite gradually trusted Vini. He talked a lot about growing up. I think Vinicius' process in the national team was the same as he had at Real Madrid. He suffered a lot there at the beginning, he wasn't well, he didn't play the way he had played before and what he is playing now. Sometimes he had a good match and a bad one.

"In the national team, the process was the same. He didn't stand out so much at the beginning. He was gaining space and gaining Tite's confidence, being a little more consistent, understanding the idea of the game more. Tite talked a lot with (Carlo) Ancelotti about that aspect, especially when He began to stand out at Real Madrid. I spoke with him to be able to copy his position and duties in the national team."