Vinicius Jnr hails England star as 'the BEST' defender he has ever faced... as Real Madrid forward reveals 'sad' situation after his Brazil side's 1-0 win over the Three Lions at Wembley
- The two players have done battle on a number of occasions in recent months
- Vinicius Jnr starred as Brazil beat England at Wembley on Saturday evening
- England's Euro 2004 team was incredible on paper but they didn't win. Can this crop do it this summer? Listen to the It's All Kicking Off podcast
Vinicius Jnr has hailed an England star as 'the best' defender he has ever faced following their recent international friendly clash.
The forward shone for Brazil against the Three Lions on Saturday night, tormenting the home defence as his side became the first team to beat England at Wembley in 21 games.
With 10 minutes to go, 17-year-old Endrick scored the winning goal of the game, with Vinicius' effort saved by Jordan Pickford before the future Real Madrid forward put in the rebound.
England have had a relatively-settled defence for the last few years under Gareth Southgate, but there are questions over the left back spot with Luke Shaw currently out injured.
Despite that, Vinicius was full of praise for one man in particular that he has become quite familiar with over the last few months.
![Vinicius Jnr has hailed an England star as 'the best' defender he has ever played against](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/25/11/82858195-0-image-a-2_1711367647831.jpg)
Vinicius Jnr has hailed an England star as 'the best' defender he has ever played against
![He heaped praise on Kyle Walker, who captained England against Brazil before going off injured in the first half](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/25/11/82858203-0-image-a-3_1711367656112.jpg)
He heaped praise on Kyle Walker, who captained England against Brazil before going off injured in the first half
![The pair have done battle on a number of occasions in recent months for both club and country](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/25/12/82858189-0-image-m-7_1711368204071.jpg)
The pair have done battle on a number of occasions in recent months for both club and country
'It's very sad,' the forward said after England captain for the game Kyle Walker was substituted in the first half with a hamstring issue that has since seen him ruled out of Tuesday's game against Belgium.
'We want to play against the best. Walker, I always say he's the best defender I've ever faced and it's always a very good duel.'
The pair butted heads briefly before Walker limped off the field after 19 minutes, handing over the captain's armband to Harry Maguire, who himself has returned to club side Manchester United following injury.
In a key moment in the game, Vinicius rounded Jordan Pickford and looked as if he would give Brazil the lead, only for Walker to get back to intercept a weak effort before it reached the goal line.
The game was not the first time the two players had faced off, with their battle during last year's Champions League semi-final tie between Manchester City and Real Madrid also seeing one of the more intriguing winger-full back battles of recent times.
City and Walker came out on top in that occasion, with Pep Guardiola's side winning 5-1 on aggregate following a dominant 4-0 win at the Etihad in the second leg.
Vinicius even tried to rainbow flick Walker at one point, with the defender revealing he asked his opponent not to 'try that again' when they embraced after the first leg.
The pair will look to do battle again when City and Madrid face off in the Champions League again next month, this time in the quarter-finals, though Walker seems in an apparent race against time to be fit for the match.
![They embraced after the first leg of Manchester City's Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid last season](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/25/11/71044113-0-Kyle_Walker_right_shared_an_embrace_with_Vinicius_Jnr_at_full_ti-a-5_1711367667330.jpg)
They embraced after the first leg of Manchester City's Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid last season
![Walker now faces a race against time to be fit for this year's fixture between the two due to a hamstring injury](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/25/13/82860597-13235879-image-a-13_1711372085604.jpg)
Walker now faces a race against time to be fit for this year's fixture between the two due to a hamstring injury
He has returned to City for treatment ahead of his side's crunch game against Arsenal in their first match back after the international break in a tie that could have huge implications on the title race.
Team-mate Rico Lewis, who has one senior cap to his name, has been promoted from the Under-21 squad to the senior team as a replacement.
James Trafford, meanwhile, has also been promoted after Sam Johnstone picked up an elbow injury that could see him ruled out for the rest of the season.
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