Vinicius Junior is expected to start Brazil's opening World Cup fixture against Serbia on Thursday after a screenshot of a private training session was leaked online.
The Real Madrid superstar, 22, is a regular starter for his club but struggles to get the nod at international level. He came off the bench in Brazil's last match - a 5-1 win against Tunisia in September - and also failed to start last year's Copa America final against Argentina.
Brazil boss Tite has a number of attackers to choose from - including Neymar, Gabriel Martinelli, Raphinha, Antony, Richarlison and Gabriel Jesus - yet a picture obtained by the Spanish press shows Vinicius preparing to start against Serbia during a training session.
In the image obtained by Marca, Vinicius is pictured wearing the orange 'starting bib'. The image is a screengrab of an Instagram Live video filmed by an 'important member' of Al-Arabi. Brazil are using the Qatari club's training ground as a base for the World Cup.
If Vinicius does start against Serbia, it's believed Tite will deploy an attacking 4-1-4-1 formation at the Lusail Stadium. Liverpool No.1 Alisson is set to start in goal ahead of Manchester City stopper Ederson, while Chelsea veteran Thiago Silva will captain the side.
Silva is tipped to be joined in defence by Marquinhos of Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus pair Danilo and Alex Sandro. Casemiro could be deployed as the sole central midfielder, with West Ham star Lucas Paqueta and the great Neymar playing in front of him.
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Richarlison is expected to be picked ahead of Gabriel Jesus as Brazil's centre-forward, with Raphinha and Vinicius either side of him. Yet this leaked attacking formation could just be Tite's Plan B and may only be used if Brazil are chasing Thursday's game.
If that's the case, Vinicius could start from the bench to allow Manchester United star Fred to join his club team-mate Casemiro in central midfield. Hammers star Paqueta would then start further forward, with Tite playing his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
Brazil are one of the favourites to win the World Cup in Qatar and have an intriguing team. Vinicius is widely regarded as one of the best forwards in Europe - scoring the winner in last season's Champions League final - but still struggles to get into Brazil's starting XI.
Paqueta is often picked ahead of Vinicius, despite the latter boasting a much bigger reputation outside of Brazil. It's a similar story with Gabriel Jesus and Richarlison, as the Arsenal striker has played more regularly this season than his Tottenham compatriot.
Tite's decisions shouldn't be questioned, however, as Brazil are currently enjoying a 36-game unbeaten run. Argentina are the only team to beat them in a competitive game since Belgium knocked them out in the quarter-finals of the last World Cup four years ago.
Possible Brazil XI vs Serbia: Alisson; Danilo, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Alex Sandro; Casemiro; Vincius Junior, Lucas Paqueta, Neymar, Raphinha; Richarlison.
