One player who will carry Brazil’s World Cup hopes on his shoulders is Vinicius Jr.
The forward has eight goals in 47 appearances for Brazil and has been influential for Real Madrid again this campaign with 11 goals in La Liga and five more in the Champions League.
“Vinicius is a football star because of his talent,” Ancelotti said.
“He’s one of the most talented players in the world, so he carries this weight because everyone expects him to win the game alone and the expectations on him are higher than any other player – maybe only Kylian Mbappe right now.”
The 25-year-old has also had to deal with discrimination since moving to Spain, where he has faced 20 incidents of alleged abuse in eight years.
The latest incident came in Real Madrid’s Champions League knockout phase play-off tie at Benfica in February, following which the Brazilian winger said “racists are cowards”.
“Having a manager like my father is really good – in being close to the stars,” the Brazil assistant said.
“We just focused on what he [Vinicius] could improve and he has room for improvement. Even if he’s one of the best, maybe personal opinion, the best player in the world, but everyone has room for improvement.
“So we focus on that because we have a manager who is a specialist in making stars not feel alone and he always did that with stars like Didier Drogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski.”
The Italian, however, has continued to work with his father, who was named Brazil boss in May 2025 after four years at Real Madrid, where he won three Champions League titles and two La Liga titles over two spells.
Five-time World Cup winners Brazil have not lifted the trophy since their last triumph in 2002 but Ancelotti believes the Selecao “will be ready for the World Cup”.
“It will be difficult because it will be after a really long season,” said Ancelotti.
“There are players that will reach the World Cup with more than 60 games and this is not good. It will be not good for the show or the people that are watching.
“So we will take care of the players physically. It will be important because the weather will be so hot. It will be a competition that will be decided by small details.
“But I can say that we have a really competitive team that can play football that could be efficient in a competition like that. So we are positive.”
Brazil will face Morocco in their World Cup opener on 13 June in New Jersey before taking on Scotland and Haiti in Group C.
THE Easter holidays are finally here, and for many, it offers a welcome break for children and parents alike.
Whether you’re travelling abroad with the kids, planning a low-key escape, or squeezing in a quick day trip, it’s one of the best opportunities to reset.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
The good news is that many destinations are still sitting just outside peak-season prices, so it’s possible to find great value for money if you plan smart (but you can still find some gems if you leave it to the last-minute).
In our checklist guide, we’ve outlined some of the top deals to consider for the Easter school holiday adventures.
If you’re looking for a fun activity that the entire family can get involved in, Woofstock is the perfect solution.
Visit the award-winning dog and family-friendly festival set in the stunning grounds of Powderham Castle near Exeter.
Back for 2026, the much-loved event promises a bumper turnout, easy access and plenty of free parking.
Visitors can expect live music, fun dog shows open to all breeds, and impressive displays, including agility and obedience stations to keep your pooch entertained.
There’ll also be plenty of dog-friendly stalls to browse, alongside reasonably priced food and drink.
Even better, one lucky winner can bag a VIP glamping package to enjoy the festival with their four-legged best friend. Enter the competition here.
Leeds Castle
Visit the Leeds Castle website to book your Spring getaway
Make this Easter extra special with a spring escape to the stunning Leeds Castle, which is nestled in the Kent countryside.
It offers the perfect mix of history, nature and family-friendly fun.
Choose from cosy B&B rooms in the Stable Courtyard or opt for the playful Knights’ Retreat lodges, ideal for families looking to add a little adventure to their stay.
Guests also enjoy access to the castle and its beautiful grounds, where there’s plenty to explore, from colourful spring gardens to three adventure playgrounds and impressive Birds of Prey displays.
From 3–19 April, families can take part in the Enchanted Easter Trail, a magical outdoor experience filled with interactive challenges, riddles and live entertainment.
After a day of exploring, guests can unwind in comfortable accommodations and soak up the unique atmosphere.
Slap Adventures
Visit the website
For those who believe driving should be more than just getting from A to B, Slap Adventures offers a next-level experience.
Designed exclusively for sports, performance and supercar owners, these curated driving tours transform every journey into something unforgettable.
Covering some of the most thrilling routes across the UK and Europe, each trip is carefully planned to combine exhilarating roads with stunning scenery, from winding mountain passes to scenic coastal stretches.
Every detail is taken care of, from premium accommodation to well-chosen stops along the way, allowing you to relax and fully enjoy the experience.
It’s a seamless, stress-free way to explore new destinations behind the wheel.
Cofton Holiday Park
Plan your stay
Set in a scenic valley near Dawlish Warren beach, Cofton Holidays is a five-star, family-run holiday park in South Devon offering a premium staycation experience for families, couples, and dog owners alike.
With a range of accommodation, including luxury lodges with hot tubs to touring and camping pitches, it caters to every kind of getaway.
Guests can enjoy standout facilities such as indoor and outdoor pools (open May to September), a leisure complex and on-site dining, making it easy to relax and unwind without leaving the park.
Cofton has earned multiple awards, including Holiday Park of the Year at the Dog-Friendly Awards for two consecutive years.
What sets it apart is its all-in-one approach.
From woodland walks to the beach and peaceful fishing lakes to a high ropes course, it offers something for everyone.
Port Aventura World
Book your visit
Located on Spain’s Costa Daurada, just an hour from Barcelona, PortAventura World is one of Europe’s most convenient and exciting short-haul family getaways, with direct flights from major UK airports.
With over 100 million visits in its 30-year history, the resort has become a go-to destination for families seeking sunshine, thrills and all-in-one entertainment.
It offers a wide choice of accommodation, including five themed four-star hotels and a five-star option within the resort, plus four additional hotels nearby (Ponient Hotels by PortAventura World).
At its heart are three standout parks: PortAventura Park, Ferrari Land, the only Ferrari-branded theme park in Europe, and Caribe Aquatic Park, one of southern Europe’s largest water parks.
For 2026, new attractions, including Coral Bay: The Lost Legend and Makamanu Jungle, promise even more family-friendly adventures, perfect for all ages. Enter the competition here.
Lenor
Shop the range
If you have a holiday planned, there’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination and finding your neatly packed clothes creased.
While many travellers rely on quick fixes like steam from the shower or flattening clothes under a mattress, there’s a far simpler solution: Lenor Crease Releaser.
This travel-friendly spray smooths wrinkles in seconds. Simply hang your clothes, spritz lightly, and smooth by hand for a fresh, ready-to-wear finish.
Now available in a handy 100ml size alongside the standard 500ml bottle, it’s ideal for holidays and weekends away.
Plus, Lenor’s Steamer and Ironing Waters make tackling laundry easier too, helping reduce creases while adding a long-lasting fragrance and preventing limescale build-up in your iron.
Crealy Theme Park & Resort
Explore short breaks at Crealy
Crealy Theme Park & Resort is one of Devon’s top family staycation spots, combining accommodation, entertainment and theme park thrills all in one place.
Families can choose from a wide range of stays, from luxury lodges with hot tubs and themed glamping to caravans and fully serviced camping pitches.
Voted Best Theme Park for Families at the 2025 UK Theme Park Awards, Crealy is home to over 60 rides and attractions, live shows, seasonal events and even animals, making it a hit with all ages.
Guests staying on short breaks can also enjoy evening entertainment during school holidays and selected weekends, with theme park entry included or discounted.
For 2026, the park is turning up the excitement with two major new rides, one of which is Pirates’ Plummet (the South West’s tallest), plus a packed events calendar that starts from Easter.
Visit Isle of Wight
Book now
If you’re craving a getaway that feels a world away without the long journey, the Isle of Wight delivers exactly that.
Just a short crossing over the Solent, you’re greeted by golden beaches, fresh sea air and an instant sense of escape – perfect for sunnier days.
From scenic coastal walks and dramatic cliff-top views to peaceful cycling routes through rolling countryside, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Whether you’re after adventure or a slower pace, it’s easy to switch off and soak it all in.
Food is another huge highlight too, with fresh seafood, artisan produce and locally crafted drinks adding to the experience.
Families will find plenty to keep everyone entertained, from unique attractions to unforgettable coastal views, which can be enjoyed from cosy cottages and boutique stays to laid-back campsites by the sea. Enter the competition here.
Bluebell Railway
Find out more
Climb aboard for a magical adventure at the Bluebell Railway, where every journey feels like stepping into a storybook.
Just a short trip from London or Brighton, this isn’t your average train ride.
Guests can hop onto a real vintage steam train and chug through the beautiful Sussex countryside, with smoke puffing and whistles blowing as they go.
With an all-day ticket, little explorers can jump on and off at different stations, each one like travelling through time, from the 1880s to the 1950s.
There’s plenty to discover along the way too.
Kids can get hands-on in the SteamWorks! exhibition, explore giant locomotives, or stop off for a bite to eat before the next adventure begins.
During Easter and school holidays, the fun goes even further, with children travelling for just £1 and surprise entertainment like dinosaurs, unicorns, a mobile zoo and favourite characters popping up along the route.
It’s a day full of imagination, adventure and unforgettable moments for the whole family.
Temblant Living
Find out more
Step into a real-life winter wonderland at Mont-Tremblant.
Here, snowy rooftops, twinkling lights and a cosy village feel like something straight out of a festive storybook that the whole family will love.
Days can be spent completely how you want them, whether that’s zooming down snowy slopes, building snowmen, or warming up with hot chocolate by the fire.
With Tremblant Living, the whole trip is made easy.
Their ski-in, ski-out stays mean you can step straight onto the slopes, while everything else, from lift passes to equipment and special experiences, is taken care of.
Mont-Tremblant is packed with everything you need for a fun snowy getaway with family and friends, creating cosy moments that kids (and grown-ups) will never forget.
Follow Checklist for more tips
If you want travel inspiration follow Checklist for more tips, tricks and deals.
You can follow @ChecklistSocial on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or sign up to the newsletter and get inspiration for everything from home and DIY to wellbeing or food and drink.
Checklist is dedicated to providing the best free online competitions too – discover amazing new services and products when you visit the website today.
TRAVELLING by car over the Easter break can be a challenge.
As Brits across the nation hit the road to enjoy the school holiday, traffic can reach a peak – and so can frustration.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Although you can’t control potential jams, planning your route and choosing the best time to travel, as well as getting your car and the kids prepared beforehand, can help smooth out bumps along the way.
Run through the checklist below to help reduce last-minute mayhem, costly breakdowns and tears on long journeys.
Follow National Highways’ T.R.I.P. tips for hassle-free motoring.
Safe T.R.I.P. Checks
The most essential hack for a smooth ride is to make sure your car is ready for the road before leaving your driveway.
Taking a bit of time in the days leading up to your journey can potentially save hours of hassle and significant costs if your vehicle were to break down.
The checks every driver needs to perform are easy to remember with T.R.I.P.:
TOP UP your fuel or battery charge, oil and screen wash
REST with planned stops every two hours for at least 15 minutes
INSPECT tyre pressure and tread before setting out, to make sure you can drive safely. See how
PREPARE for all weather conditions
Running out of fuel and tyre issues are among the top causes of breakdowns and incidents on roads.
Taking the right precautions will help you get to your Easter break safely and on time – and the good news is that they only take a few minutes to complete.
For help with performing Safe T.R.I.P. Checks, head to the National Highways website for everything you need to get them right, including some handy how-to videos.
Care necessities
After ticking off your Safe T.R.I.P. Checks list, it’s time to make sure you have all your travel essentials to hand.
It might feel like you’re packing for a week on safari, but being prepared for any eventuality means you can enjoy your journey with less stress.
As well as the kids’ snacks and activities, keep coats handy even if the weather looks fine.
Other helpful kit includes travel pillows and blankets, a travel potty for little ones and a first aid kit.
Sunscreen and sunglasses are a must because car windows don’t fully protect us from UV rays and there may be glare from the sun.
If you’re travelling with more than one child, headphones can be a godsend, while a power bank will make sure they don’t run out of juice.
Finally, to keep things clean and tidy, think about packing a seat organiser, a carrier bag for rubbish, a change of clothes in case of accidents and a pack of wet wipes.
Break it up
Make sure the driver doesn’t get tired. As well as planned stops to give everyone the chance to stretch their legs, this means getting a good rest the night before.
When planning your journey, allow enough time for those breaks. Aim to stop every two hours for at least 15 minutes.
As a guide, a baby shouldn’t be in a car seat for longer than two hours at a stretch, while newborns and premature babies need a break every half hour.
Before heading out, try looking for rest spots on your route that will make the journey more interesting.
Twenty minutes at a farm shop, café or garden centre can be a great alternative to a service station.
Snack attack
There’s nothing worse than being stuck in bumper to bumper traffic with a gaggle of hungry kids on board. So make sure you have plenty of goodies to tide them over.
As well as treats, try to include some healthy choices so you don’t have to deal with a sugar crash.
Avoid grapes, which could be a choking hazard, and anything that could trigger car sickness such as greasy or rich foods and dairy products.
It’s important to bring plenty of water, especially on a warm day, so replenish those refillable bottles before hitting the road.
Play time
Entertainment and games on your journey will make getting there part of the fun.
Try trusted favourites like I-spy, 20 Questions or the Alphabet Game, listen to music or audiobooks, or download a film onto the kids’ devices before you leave home.
Sticker books or reusable window stickers are also a winner, while older children will enjoy car-friendly board and card games, like magnetic Ludo or Monopoly Deal.
Visit National Highways to learn more and get ready to have a safe T.R.I.P.
Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/
