Ahead of Brazil’s critical World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay, fans were surprised to see that rising star Endrick didn’t make the squad. Dorival Júnior, Brazil’s coach, decided to leave out the young Real Madrid forward, who has been a regular in previous call-ups. The absence of such a promising player naturally raised questions, especially given his high profile in European football.

Dorival explained that the choice was due to Endrick’s limited playing time with Real Madrid. “If you’re not playing regularly for your club, it creates a tricky situation,” he said. However, the coach emphasized that this isn’t the end of the line for Endrick; rather, it’s a chance for him to adjust to the demands of playing at Real Madrid, a club with fierce internal competition.

He encouraged Endrick to stay patient during this phase. “What he needs to do now is find his footing at his club so he can shine later on,” Dorival noted. Although leaving Endrick out may seem like a setback, it’s actually a chance for him to focus on development and regain his rhythm for future call-ups.

For now, Brazil will move forward without their young talent, relying instead on established stars like Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo, and Éder Militão. Dorival’s strategy is clear: prioritize players who are in top form and consistently active, which he believes is essential for navigating the intense qualifiers. His focus remains on building a competitive Seleção aimed squarely at securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup.