Brazil’s teenage sensation, Endrick, has been left out of the national squad for the November international break.
Brazil national team head coach Dorivial Junior dropped the youngster from the squad due to his lack of game time with Real Madrid.
However, the decision has raised eyebrows among fans and football pundits. The 17-year-old forward, who currently plays for Real Madrid, is widely considered one of the brightest young talents in world football.
Known for his incredible speed, positioning skills, intelligence, and goal-scoring prowess, Endrick has already blazed a trail to unhindered career success.
Dorivial Junior’s decision comes at a time when Endrick hasn’t lost his balance with the national team despite struggling at club level.
Many expected his strong performance for Brazil to count and earn him a spot in the national squad for the break, especially with Brazil looking to develop young talents in preparation for upcoming international tournaments.
Endrick’s performances for Brazil’s national team
Brazil’s November fixtures include two crucial World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela on Thursday, November 14, and Uruguay on November 20, and while the games are against relatively lower-ranked opponents, Brazil’s team management is under pressure to secure wins.
With the absence of key senior players such as Casemiro and Neymar, Brazilian fans hoped that younger players should be utilized more to fill the gap.
Dorivial Junior reacts to endrick’s exclusion from the Brazil squad
Speaking after confirming the exclusion of the Real Madrid sensation from the squad, Dorivial Junior harped on the youngster’s poor form and lack of game time with Real Madrid.
According to him, his rule is simple; he can’t call on players who have not played for their clubs frequently or are in top form when there are better alternatives.
“We can’t include players that are struggling for game time with their clubs when we can make do with other alternatives,” Dorivial Junior said.
Endrick’s international and Real Madrid career
Endrick was first called up for Brazil’s senior national team on November 6, 2023, to participate in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina. He became the youngest male player to secure a senior call-up since Ronaldo in 1994.
On his debut against Colombia, he became the fourth all-time youngest player, and youngest in 57 years, to make his debut for Brazil.
He scored his first goal for Brazil in a friendly against England at Wembley Stadium on 23 March 2024, making him the youngest player to score for a club or country on the ground.
His second goal came in a six-goal thriller draw against Spain in the next international friendly after the England match.
The back-to-back goals against England and Spain saw him make Dorivial Junior’s Brazil squad for the 2024 Copa América.
At the tournament, he made three sub appearances in the group stage and replaced Vinicius Jr on his first start in a quarter-final defeat to Uruguay.
Endrick’s Real Madrid career
Endrick has yet to beat through the weight of stars in Real Madrid’s squad. He got off the mark with a brilliant debut, scoring the club’s third goal in a 3-0 win over Real Valladolid in La Liga on August 25, 2024. He has scored 2 goals in nine appearances for the club so far.
