AFP – Seventeen-year-old rising star Endrick, hailed as one of Brazilian football’s great hopes, got his first call-up for national team duty on Monday as coach Fernando Diniz seeks to replace injured star Neymar.
Endrick, who is set to join Real Madrid when he turns 18 in July 2024, could make his senior international debut in Brazil’s World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina this month, making him the youngest player to receive a call-up for the Selecao since Ronaldo in 1994.
“He’s a player with the potential to be a great talent,” Diniz told a news conference, announcing his squad.
“This call-up isn’t pressure. It’s a reward, and also a look at the future of what the kid can be.”
Endrick, reportedly bought by Real Madrid for a EUR72 million transfer fee, is fresh off scoring a clutch brace as his current club, Palmeiras, came back from three goals down to beat league leaders Botafogo 4-3 last Thursday.
Five-time World Cup winners Brazil will face Colombia away on November 16 in Barranquilla and arch-rivals Argentina on November 21 at Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Maracana stadium.
