Brazil Call Up Endrick to Replace Injured Neymar

The FA of Brazil confirmed on Friday that teenage Real Madrid striker Endrick has been called upon to replace injured Neymar for the World Cup qualifiers this month. Following more than a year on the sidelines due to a knee injury suffered in late 2023 Santos striker Neymar was scheduled to return to the Brazil team.

But after developing a muscular injury, the 33-year-old has been excluded from World Cup qualifying games against Colombia and Argentina. For Manchester City’s Ederson, Coach Dorival Jr has also summoned Olympique Lyonnais goalkeeper Lucas Perri and Flamengo defender Alex Sandro to cover for teammate Danilo.

“Over the last few days the medical department of the Brazilian national team has been keeping us informed on the situation of all the players, especially Danilo, Neymar and Ederson,” Dorival Jr. stated in a CBF statement.

“The medical section of the national team informed us on the state of every player following the tests. We thus are calling Lucas Perri from Lyon, Alex Sandro from Flamengo and Endrick from Real Madrid.”

Fifth in the CONMEBOL rankings with 18 points from 12 games, Brazil hosts fourth-ranked Colombia on March 21 and travels five days later to leaders Argentina. Direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, Canada comes from the top six teams.