Endrick brutally left out of Brazil squad for World Cup qualifiers as teenager struggles for game time at Real Madrid

Brazil boss Dorival Jr has announced his squad for World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay but there is no room for Endrick. The 18-year-old has not featured in any of Real Madrid’s last four games and is yet to start a La Liga match for Los Blancos this season. Endrick is not the only high-profile name missing from the squad. Neymar has also been omitted despite having successfully returned from a long spell out due to a knee injury.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Endrick has been left out of the Brazil squad for the first time since he made his debut for the national team in November 2023, while Real Madrid team-mate Vinicius Jr has returned after missing October’s fixtures through injury and Chelsea-bound teenager Estevao Willian is also on the list. Endrick’s lack of game time at the Santiago Bernabeu has cost him his place this time around, with Dorival Jr admitting that players must be featuring for their clubs if they are to be called up by Brazil.

  WHAT DORIVAL JR HAS SAID

  He told reporters: “Today he is in a moment of transition, in what is perhaps the biggest team in world football. It is a natural process that takes time. We all have to live with this decision. The doors of the Selecao are not closed to him, I have confidence in him and he knows it. What he has to do now is reposition himself in his club so that he can shine later. The club he joined is getting to know him better, Endrick is in a new environment and this, I insist, requires a certain amount of time. It’s natural that if you don’t play for your club, it creates a complicated situation. All the footballers have to be playing to be here in the Selecao.”

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  BRAZIL SQUAD IN FULL

  Goalkeepers: Bento (Al Nassr), Ederson (Manchester City), Weverton (Palmeiras)

  Defenders: Danilo (Juventus), Vanderson (Monaco), Abner (Lyon), Guilherme Arana (Atlético-MG), Eder Militão (Real Madrid), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Marquinhos (Paris Saint-Germain), Murillo (Nottingham Forest)

  Midfielders: André (Wolverhampton), Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Gerson (Flamengo), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham United) and Raphinha (Barcelona)

  Forwards: Estevao (Palmeiras), Igor Jesus (Botafogo), Luiz Henrique (Botafogo), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Savinho (Manchester City) and Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid)